Cablegate: Goc Assurances On Trips and Medicines
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS OTTAWA 000339
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR FOR CLAUDE BURCKY
GENEVA FOR USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD CA
SUBJECT: GOC ASSURANCES ON TRIPS AND MEDICINES
REF: A. STATE 26895
B. DICKSON-LAITINEN 1/31 EMAIL
C. OTTAWA 156
D. OTTAWA 007
1. Econoff discussed the latest evolution in GOC thinking on
TRIPS and medicines with Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade IPR Director Catherine Dickson on January
30. Dickson reaffirmed the assurances given by Trade
Minister Pettigrew in his January 10 phone conversation with
USTR Zoellick and the position announced by the Canadian
delegation at the January 28 informal TRIPS Council meeting.
2. Canada remains disappointed that the TRIPS Council did
not resolve the issue by the December 2002 deadline, but
shares the USG commitment to finding a long-term,
multilateral solution to the problem. In the meantime, said
Dickson, the GOC will not take dispute settlement action
against any poor country that needs access to medicines to
treat a public health crisis (e.g., HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis,
malaria) but has limited or no manufacturing capablity.
3. Dickson underscored the Canadian position in writing via
Ref B, which she copied to USTR's Claude Burcky.
CELLUCCI