So the Canadian government releases a new security initiative this week and all of a sudden after meeting with US Congress and Bush, NAFTA wants to put an end to the Softwood Lumber dispute and have the US pay back Canada all the tariff monies and looks like Canadian beef will be rolling through the boarder again...
Bush encouraging about beef, border: Martin
Last Updated Fri, 30 Apr 2004 21:25:46
WASHINGTON - The border between Canada and the United States will be open to Canadian cattle "as soon as possible," U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday.
IN DEPTH: Prime Ministers and Presidents
Bush told reporters in the White House Rose Garden that he had assured Prime Minister Paul Martin it was in both countries' interests to reopen the border closed nearly a year ago when a single case of mad cow disease was found in Alberta.
Paul Martin and George W. Bush walk out of the White House before speaking to reporters. (AP photo)
"My administration is committed to a policy of free trade when it comes to beef," he said.
It's the sort of message Martin was hoping to hear when he began a two-day tour of Washington on Thursday.
"The president was very encouraging," said Martin.
"It's very clear that Canada and the United States, working together, we can make great progress," said Martin.
He met with Bush for about an hour in the Oval Office. After briefly meeting reporters, they returned to the White House for a working lunch.
Martin later held a news conference at the Canadian Embassy, where he enumerated the issues he and Bush discussed. These included trade, the environment, energy, security, international relations and the U.S. missile defence shield plan.
On the last item, Martin said he raised it to make it clear Canada would not participate in any program that would put weapons in space.
The relationship between the North American neighbours has been strained in recent years, reaching its greatest tension when Ottawa refused to join the war in Iraq.
FROM APRIL 29, 2004: Martin says decision not to join Iraq coalition was 'right for Canada'
Bush swept aside those concerns on Friday, pointing out Canada's military contributions in Afghanistan and Haiti, and to the reconstruction of Iraq.
"We've got a good friend in Canada," said Bush.
Also, there was an interesting article yesterday on the cover of the Post stating that Bush wants Martin to talk to the UN, NATO and the EU and convince them to send peace keeping troops into Iraq.
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