EvanL
12-11-2003, 02:17 PM
SUE BAILEY
Canadian Press
Thursday, December 11, 2003
OTTAWA (CP) - U.S. President George W. Bush thanked Canada for its help in the war on terrorism and said Canada won't be excluded from lucrative contracts to help rebuild Iraq, retiring Prime Minister Jean Chretien said after receiving a farewell phone call Thursday.
"He thanked me for what we're doing in Afghanistan and for the offer of money in the reconstruction of Iraq," Chretien told a news conference.
Chretien said Bush assured him that recent news reports on the exclusion of Canada, and other countries that did not support the U.S.-led war in Iraq, from reconstruction contracts were not correct.
"He was telling me basically not to worry, so I said 'thank you."'
Chretien, who retires Friday, received the call from Bush before 8 a.m. at 24 Sussex Dr.
Bush's comments to Chretien seemed to fly in the face of what he was saying at home.
He told reporters in Washington on Thursday that countries which sent troops to Iraq should be entitled to share in the $18 billion in 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."
Incoming prime minister Paul Martin said he couldn't fathom the U.S. move, 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.
Chretien and Bush talked for about 10 minutes Thursday, said Chretien spokeswoman Thoren Hudyma.
Bush congratulated Chretien "on your very, very distinguished and honourable career," Hudyma said, quoting the president.
Chretien 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 Chretien enjoyed with former U.S. president Bill Clinton.
© Copyright 2003 The Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Thursday, December 11, 2003
OTTAWA (CP) - U.S. President George W. Bush thanked Canada for its help in the war on terrorism and said Canada won't be excluded from lucrative contracts to help rebuild Iraq, retiring Prime Minister Jean Chretien said after receiving a farewell phone call Thursday.
"He thanked me for what we're doing in Afghanistan and for the offer of money in the reconstruction of Iraq," Chretien told a news conference.
Chretien said Bush assured him that recent news reports on the exclusion of Canada, and other countries that did not support the U.S.-led war in Iraq, from reconstruction contracts were not correct.
"He was telling me basically not to worry, so I said 'thank you."'
Chretien, who retires Friday, received the call from Bush before 8 a.m. at 24 Sussex Dr.
Bush's comments to Chretien seemed to fly in the face of what he was saying at home.
He told reporters in Washington on Thursday that countries which sent troops to Iraq should be entitled to share in the $18 billion in 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."
Incoming prime minister Paul Martin said he couldn't fathom the U.S. move, 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.
Chretien and Bush talked for about 10 minutes Thursday, said Chretien spokeswoman Thoren Hudyma.
Bush congratulated Chretien "on your very, very distinguished and honourable career," Hudyma said, quoting the president.
Chretien 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 Chretien enjoyed with former U.S. president Bill Clinton.
© Copyright 2003 The Canadian Press