| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 17, 2007 U.S. Concludes Arrangement with Canada on Access to U.S. Defense TechnologyOn May 15, Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte and Canada's Deputy Minister of Defence Ward Elcock completed an exchange of letters documenting an arrangement between the U.S. Department of State and the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) that will ensure continued bilateral cooperation on defense programs and procurement. Procedures will allow Canadian citizen employees (including dual nationals) of the Canadian Department of National Defence who possess DND issued security clearances, consistent with the Exchange of Letters, to have access to U.S. defense articles and services controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) as needed for their DND work. This arrangement will allow Canada's purchase of CH-47 helicopters, C-17 transport aircraft, and C-130 aircraft, and other procurements, to proceed. The new procedures respect the legal rights of Canadian citizens and also ensure that U.S. regulatory controls are enforced, making certain that U.S. Munitions List (USML) goods and services are not disclosed or provided to proscribed foreign countries or persons. The State Department sees agreement on these procedures as a first step and has offered to conclude similar arrangements with other Canadian government agencies provided they can assure us of their commitment to vigorously implement and oversee similar procedures. The arrangement reflects the collaboration and flexibility inherent in the U.S.-Canada relationship. |
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