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issue (though the Deputy High Commissioner was not encouraging about Canada's ability to help when he saw Mr Gillmore on 29 January).
(d) "Open Skies" Conference. Aside from the more general
questions, there is a programme point on timing of the NATO caucus near the start of the conference.
(e) South Africa and Namibia. Not one of Mr Macdonald's
List of subjects, but short points to make on independence and police training in Namibia are attached, along with background points on South Africa.
Canada: Domestic Concerns
4. Top of the domestic agenda is the Meech Lake Accord, designed to bring Quebec into the Constitution and quell Queb C S separatism, to be ratified by 23 June. New Brunswick, Manitoba and Newfoundland are especially opposed, resenting special treatment for Quebec. Mr Mulroney's Government is also having great difficulties in introducing a 7% consumption tax on everything except food and health services by 1991, to replace the 13.5% tax currently applied on selected goods at the manufacturing stage. Canada S other domestic concerns are immigration (both the need for it and the handling of immigrants), and how the US/Canada Free Trade Agreement is working in practice (the Jury is still out after only one year's operation).
Canada: Foreign Policy Concerns
1
5. Canada is a member of NATO, the 67, the Commonwealth, the OAS and La Francophonie, as well as currently the UN Security Council. The main problem between us is really one etween Canada and the EC. Canada is incensed by the 1990 EC quota of 60,000 tonnes for fishing in international waters immediately outside the 200 mile fishery Limit, arguing that
on the basis of
scientific evidence the total allowable catch should be closer to 15,000 tonnes. M. Delors has agreed to meet Mr Mulroney to discuss the problem.
6.
NAD WiLL provide a note taker.
R French
North America Department
RF3AJA
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