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Ace_O_Spades · 07-06-2006, 10:07 PM

http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/Top...howbyline=True

Quote:

N. Korean missile tests should concern Canada: PM
06/07/2006 11:39:58 PM

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Missiles launched at the U.S. pose a threat for Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday in Washington during a joint news conference with U.S. President George Bush.

CTV.ca News Staff

President George W. Bush meets with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the Oval Office Thursday, July 6, 2006. (White House photo)

The North Korean missile crisis seemed to eclipse softwood lumber and border security as the key topic of the high level talks, the focus of Harper's first visit to the White House as prime minister.

"The fact that (North Korea) is prepared to arm itself and prepared to threaten to use such armaments ... is something that we should be gravely concerned about,'' Harper said.

"Missiles that are fired in the direction of the United States constitute a threat to Canada.''

Bush had earlier suggested a hypothetical scenario in which a North Korean missile fired at the U.S. might go astray and land in Canada.

"(North Korea) could be seemingly firing a missile at the United States -- this is all speculation -- that could be headed toward the northwest of our country and it wouldn't take much for it to get off course,'' Bush said.

However, Harper said the latest posturing from North Korea would not prompt him to reopen the issue of a North American missile defence system.

"The government of Canada is not prepared to open the missile defence issue at this time, but ... it should be obvious when we look at this kind of threat why the United States and others would want to have a modern and flexible defence system against this kind of threat. ... That's something our government at least fully understands.''

Faced with intense public pressure, the previous Liberal government abandoned discussions with the U.S. on missile defence.

Softwood lumber

Bush also heralded Harper's leadership on resolving the longstanding softwood lumber dispute after their meeting.

"I appreciate the prime minister's leadership in helping us resolve this issue. It's a tough issue," he said of Harper, who he affectionately referred to several times as "Steve."

"Nevertheless, the fact that we are able to reach an accord just goes to show how trading partners can be active in trade and solve problems."

Harper has found himself defending the softwood lumber deal he struck with the Americans from stakeholders in Canada concerned that the U.S. can opt out of the agreement via a so-called escape clause. Harper indicated he will go ahead with the deal and take it to Parliament in the fall.

Harper and his American counterpart also discussed the war on terror, as well as the nuclear ambitions of Iran, the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the recent Mexican election.

Bush lauded Canada for its efforts to break up terror plots, after 17 people in Ontario were charged last month in an alleged terrorist plot.

"We in Canada share the United States' security concerns and objectives,'' Harper said."Recently with events in Toronto, it's been brought home to all of us that we face exactly the same kind of security threats and are defending exactly the same kinds of values.''

Border ID plans

Harper and Bush also discussed American plans to require a passport or some other form of high-technology identification from anyone entering the country over land borders by Jan. 1, 2008.

They agreed that the implementation of the stricter border identification rules must not unduly hinder tourism or trade, Harper said.

"To that end, we've tasked our officials to agree on common standards for secure and alternate documents, preferably as soon as possible," he said.

The U.S. Senate has passed legislation calling for a 17-month delay in the implementation of the provisions but the House of Representatives has showed no indication it will change the deadline.

Bush said that if the U.S. Congress provides the flexibility to delay the deadline, Washington will work with Ottawa to provide an extension.

"If the Congress says 'No, this is what our intent is,' we will work with the Canadian government to make the law work," Bush said.

Harper said Canadians are facing the sensitive task of co-operating with the Americans while pressing for reconsideration of the law.

"We understand this is a congressional law the administration has to put into place, we are prepared to co-operate to make it work as smoothly and effectively as possible," Harper said.

"At the same time, our other track is obviously to encourage some re-examination of the law," he said.

Congenial relations

Harper arrived in the U.S. capital on Wednesday night and was greeted with a high-level dinner at the residence of Michael Wilson, Canadian ambassador to the United States.

"There was an extraordinarily important dinner last night with the vice-president and several of the senior cabinet ministers along with the prime minister which was quite important and something that's unseen to the media is the preparation that goes along with these meetings," Gordon Giffin, former U.S. ambassador to Canada told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday.

"I think last night was probably a very good meeting for the prime minister and the dialogue there in an informal session may very well have been among the most important conversations that occurred on this visit."

Guests included U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney; Michael Chertoff, the Secretary of Homeland Security; Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and intelligence boss John Negroponte.

His meeting with Bush on Thursday happens to coincide with the president's 60th birthday. CTV News has learned the prime minister will offer the president some very Canadian gifts.

"The prime minister is going to give the president Calgary Stampede belt buckles, a prized RCMP Stetson, and Arctic silver cufflinks," reported CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife.

Bush thanked Harper at their joint press conference on Thursday.

"Thanks for the belt buckle in advance, I am looking forward to getting it," a cheerful Bush joked to his Canadian counterpart.

"I just hope that the belt fits," he added.

The press conference ended on a congenial note, with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" for the president, who was joined at the podium by three others who shared his birth date.

Harper faces the delicate balance of improving bilateral relations with the United States while catering to critics at home, observers say.

"Stephen Harper may be heading back to the polls as early as this fall, but perhaps next spring," said CTV's Washington Bureau Chief Tom Clark.

"Anything that comes out of this meeting has to fit back into an election agenda back in Canada. Canadians are not all that taken by George Bush or this White House and so Stephen Harper can't appear to be getting too close, so he's got to bring up some contentious issues."

With reports from CTV's Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife and The Canadian Press

It disgusts me that Harper is bringing North Korea in as a "Threat to Canada". I don't want to herald this as the confirmation of Harper's Bush-isms, but if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...

How is North Korea a viable threat to Canada? Why are these men fear mongering us into thinking all of a sudden North Korea is coming over the bering straight and fucking shit up.

Anyway, softwood lumber... I'm firmy in the British Columbia camp on this one, with two family members in the forest industry, and more than a few in my extended family. I felt the deal was rushed and not in the best interests of Canada. Besides giving them a billion dollars of our money, the deal is a lame duck with dubious chances long-term.