CANADA AND POSSIBLE AMERICAS TRADE SUMMIT

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001018 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD XM XS CA SUBJECT: CANADA AND POSSIBLE AMERICAS TRADE SUMMIT REF: SECSTATE 80675 ¶1. (sbu) Canada strongly supports the U.S. idea of broadening free trade agreements and cooperation in the western hemisphere, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Senior Advisor in the Americas Strategy Secretariat Rouben Khatchadourian told Econcouns on July 30. Responding to reftel points, Khatchadourian said Canada also favors greater hemispheric integration and is "playing catch up with the United States" in Latin America in this regard. ¶2. (sbu) Khatchadourian was already aware of the U.S. proposal to hold an FTA leaders summit around the UNGA time frame. He stated that he would send our request to the Foreign Minister's office, adding that Canada would likely support an FTA initiative/meeting, especially at "the right time and right level." Khatchadourian confirmed that Prime Minister Harper would address the UNGA on September 25, but would likely be unavailable on September 23-24. Brazilian President Lula is tentatively scheduled to make a state visit to Canada on those dates, Khatchadourian said. He asked that we keep Lula's visit close hold. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS