Ambassador Ron Kirk has issued a response to Senator Wyden’s letter dated January 6, 2010. The official press release from Senator Wyden’s office follows:
U.S. Senator Ron WydenFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Hoelzer (Wyden): (202) 224-3789
March 2, 2010Wyden Gets Some Answers on ACTA Negotiations
USTR Responds on Range of Issues, including Internet Access and Drug Sales
Washington, D.C.– Seeking to shed light on the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) secret negotiations over about the Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement (ACTA), U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today released letters that included the USTR response on eleven questions posed to Ambassador Ron Kirk by the senator in January. Wyden, who is chair of the Senate Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, sent the letter asking Kirk to detail the negotiating objectives on critical issues that impact consumers’ access to the internet and to affordable pharmaceutical drugs. The USTR responded to Wyden’s questions in writing and in person over the past few weeks.
“Over the last few weeks, I’ve shared with Ambassador Kirk my concerns about both the transparency of ACTA negotiations and the substance of the agreement,” said Wyden. “I encouraged him to give the public a say over issues that so profoundly affect their lives, as trade policies often do. I look forward to working with stakeholders and with Ambassador Kirk as the ACTA negotiations continue.”
Wyden is hoping that these answers will be the first step in a greater public discussion of the trade agreement and is looking forward to public comment on their substance. Additionally, Wyden is asking that the USTR not sign a final agreement on ACTA until the public and the Congress has had ample time to review opportunity to review the final text of the agreement.
Wyden’s letter can be found at http://wyden.senate.gov/newsroom/ustr_ltr_acta_jan2010.pdf
and the USTR response can be found at http://wyden.senate.gov/newsroom/ustr_acta_response.pdf