UNCLAS OTTAWA 000686

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EB/TPP/MTA ROBERT DOWNES
GENEVA FOR USTR DAVID SHARK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECIN AFIN CA WTRO
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS WTO BUDGET REFORM

REF: STATE 50656


1. Canada supports the U.S. objective, outlined Reftel, to
reform the WTO budget process and move towards a two-year
budget cycle, according to Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Senior Trade Policy Officer Dean
Steadman. Steadman told Econoff that the WTO needs
"results-based budgetary and accounting systems" and feels
that moving towards a biennial budget process is one of a
number of reforms that should be considered. Steadman will be
the GOC point of contact on this issue.


2. Steadman noted that he had raised the issue with the
Canadian mission in Geneva during a visit last week. He said
that although his Geneva colleagues were supportive of the
idea, they noted that the ongoing Doha round negotiations
would make it difficult for them or others to focus on WTO
budgetary reform at this time.
CELLUCCI