Ditto Much
TRIBE Member
CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA - U.S. President George W. Bush is grateful for help in the war on terrorism and is "working" to include Canada in lucrative rebuilding projects in Iraq, he said in a farewell phone call to retiring Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
"He thanked me for what we're doing in Afghanistan and for the offer of money in the reconstruction of Iraq," Chrétien told a news conference today.
"As for the news in the newspapers stating that Canada would be excluded from economic activities in Iraq, the president assured me that this was not the case, and that he would be taking action," Chrétien said in French.
"And so I thanked him.
"We are still good friends."
The United States announced this week that countries which did not support the U.S.-led war in Iraq last spring, including Canada, would not be allowed to bid on reconstruction contracts worth $18 billion.
But Chrétien said Bush called today and "he was telling me basically not to worry."
The prime minister, who retires tomorrow, received the call before 8 a.m. at 24 Sussex Dr.
The president's exact words on the issue were: "We are working to rectify the situation," said Chrétien spokesman Stephen Hogue.
Bush's comments to Chrétien seemed to fly in the face of what he was saying at home.
He told reporters in Washington this morning that countries which sent troops to Iraq should share in the American-financed reconstruction projects while other nations are shut out.
"What I'm saying is, in the expenditure of the taxpayers' money . . . the U.S. people, the taxpayers, understand why it makes sense for countries that risked lives to participate in the contracts in Iraq. It's very simple. Our people risked their lives, friendly coalition folks risked their lives and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that."
Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan later said: "We'll be glad to discuss the issue with you," when asked about Canada's status.
If welcomed at all, Canadian expertise would likely be needed on sub-contracts for such projects as pipeline reconstruction.
Incoming prime minister Paul Martin said yesterday that he couldn't fathom the U.S. move to shun its northern neighbour, especially after Canada has pledged nearly $300 million for Iraq reconstruction.
Canadian troops in Afghanistan are also "carrying a very, very heavy load" in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan, Martin said.
He said he would raise the matter with the U.S. ambassador.
Deputy Prime Minister John Manley suggested Canada may cut aid to Iraq in response to the U.S. snub.
Chrétien and Bush talked for about 10 minutes today, said Chrétien spokeswoman Thoren Hudyma.
Bush congratulated Chrétien "on your very, very distinguished and honourable career," Hudyma said, quoting the president.
Chrétien was "very moved," she said.
"The prime minister said to Bush: 'You know we've had a few disagreements in the past, but relations between our two countries have never been better.' "
Hudyma described the chat as very warm and cordial.
The two leaders have never formed the kind of bond Chrétien enjoyed with former U.S. president Bill Clinton.
There was an infamous incident just over a year ago when former Chrétien press aide Francoise Ducros called Bush "a moron." She lost her job after Chrétien's attempts to defend her were widely mocked in the U.S. media.
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Its far to difficult for american companies to not use Canada. To many of the people and key subcontractors of all over our industries are split between the two countries. Ford would have a near impossible time proving that a vehicle contained no canadian content of labour. General Electric would have a massive problem as would the vast majority of the oil and telecom industry.
From a matter of practicality it was impossible to exclude canada regardless of what bush said to reporters.
OTTAWA - U.S. President George W. Bush is grateful for help in the war on terrorism and is "working" to include Canada in lucrative rebuilding projects in Iraq, he said in a farewell phone call to retiring Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
"He thanked me for what we're doing in Afghanistan and for the offer of money in the reconstruction of Iraq," Chrétien told a news conference today.
"As for the news in the newspapers stating that Canada would be excluded from economic activities in Iraq, the president assured me that this was not the case, and that he would be taking action," Chrétien said in French.
"And so I thanked him.
"We are still good friends."
The United States announced this week that countries which did not support the U.S.-led war in Iraq last spring, including Canada, would not be allowed to bid on reconstruction contracts worth $18 billion.
But Chrétien said Bush called today and "he was telling me basically not to worry."
The prime minister, who retires tomorrow, received the call before 8 a.m. at 24 Sussex Dr.
The president's exact words on the issue were: "We are working to rectify the situation," said Chrétien spokesman Stephen Hogue.
Bush's comments to Chrétien seemed to fly in the face of what he was saying at home.
He told reporters in Washington this morning that countries which sent troops to Iraq should share in the American-financed reconstruction projects while other nations are shut out.
"What I'm saying is, in the expenditure of the taxpayers' money . . . the U.S. people, the taxpayers, understand why it makes sense for countries that risked lives to participate in the contracts in Iraq. It's very simple. Our people risked their lives, friendly coalition folks risked their lives and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that."
Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan later said: "We'll be glad to discuss the issue with you," when asked about Canada's status.
If welcomed at all, Canadian expertise would likely be needed on sub-contracts for such projects as pipeline reconstruction.
Incoming prime minister Paul Martin said yesterday that he couldn't fathom the U.S. move to shun its northern neighbour, especially after Canada has pledged nearly $300 million for Iraq reconstruction.
Canadian troops in Afghanistan are also "carrying a very, very heavy load" in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan, Martin said.
He said he would raise the matter with the U.S. ambassador.
Deputy Prime Minister John Manley suggested Canada may cut aid to Iraq in response to the U.S. snub.
Chrétien and Bush talked for about 10 minutes today, said Chrétien spokeswoman Thoren Hudyma.
Bush congratulated Chrétien "on your very, very distinguished and honourable career," Hudyma said, quoting the president.
Chrétien was "very moved," she said.
"The prime minister said to Bush: 'You know we've had a few disagreements in the past, but relations between our two countries have never been better.' "
Hudyma described the chat as very warm and cordial.
The two leaders have never formed the kind of bond Chrétien enjoyed with former U.S. president Bill Clinton.
There was an infamous incident just over a year ago when former Chrétien press aide Francoise Ducros called Bush "a moron." She lost her job after Chrétien's attempts to defend her were widely mocked in the U.S. media.
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Its far to difficult for american companies to not use Canada. To many of the people and key subcontractors of all over our industries are split between the two countries. Ford would have a near impossible time proving that a vehicle contained no canadian content of labour. General Electric would have a massive problem as would the vast majority of the oil and telecom industry.
From a matter of practicality it was impossible to exclude canada regardless of what bush said to reporters.
