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The Honorable Tom Foley 

 Page 2 

 Fefaniary 9. 1993 



understand the purpose of this consensus-voting requirement, I am concerned that the 

 full U.S. Secuon will be unable to pursue viable negotiating options. I am panicuiarly 

 concerned because these options appeal to the very proposals which best taJce steps 

 toward f ulfillm ent of the commitments in the Treaty to rebuild chinook stocks, reduce 

 interceptions, and address equity. 



If it were not for these Treaty commitments, my concern could be dismissed as parochial 

 I firmly believe that the information shows dearly that these are not parochial concerns. 



By preventing discussion of other options. ±e only thing 'on the table" to gain Canadian 

 reductions on the WCVI appears to be Washingtons commercial Indian and non-Indian 

 harvest of Canada's Eraser River stocks. As a sole option, this strategy will 

 unnecessarily pit one segment of Wasiiington's fishery against another. It will needlessly 

 resun'ace long-standing arguments benveen commercial and reaeationai fishers. 



This outcome is not necessary. If it occurs, it will not be the fault of either Washington's 

 commercial fishers nor its recreauonai fishers. But these fishers would suffer the 

 consequences. 



I believe the U.S. Section should do everything possible to overcome the barriers to 

 discussing ail viable negotiating options, particularly when other options clearly move 

 toward fulfilling our national commitments in the Treaty. 



I am committed to seeking reductions in the Canadian harvest of chinook and coho in 

 the WCVI fishery. I believe that it is totally unnecessary for the debate to become an 

 allocation issue between spon and commercial fishen in Washington. I am concerned 

 that this will be the unfortunate outcome if the U.S. Section cannot discuss with Canada 

 all options available to reduce the WCVI harvest. 



As you know, the Department of State plays a key role in tiiese negotiations. Not only 

 is the Department's representative, .Ambassador David Colson, chair of the entire U.S. 

 Section, but he is an experienced negotiator and diplomat with the full confidence of 

 Commissioners representmg Washington and the treary Indian tribes. In addition, the 

 Secretary of State has au±onties which are inienaed to encourage the U.S. Section to 

 comply witii its obligations under the Treaty. I hope the Secretary considers his 

 authorities. 



