CNN: Don't dictate to me, Canadian leader tells U.S.

[heyholetsgogrant]

Don't dictate to me, Canadian leader tells U.S.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005; Posted: 4:38 p.m. EST (21:38 GMT)

RICHMOND, British Columbia (Reuters) -- Prime Minister Paul Martin escalated a war of words with the United States on Wednesday, telling Washington not to dictate to him what topics he can raise in the run-up to Canada's January 23 election.

But U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, who warned Canadian politicians on Tuesday not to bash the United States as part of their campaigning, denied on Wednesday he was trying to control the election debate.

Martin -- who has regularly attacked the U.S. stance on a bilateral trade dispute over softwood lumber and also criticized Washington's approach to climate change -- took aim at Wilkins' warning for a second consecutive day.

"When it comes to defending Canadian values, when it comes to standing up for Canadian interests, I'm going to call it like I see it," he told reporters in a lumber yard in Richmond, British Columbia. "I am not going to be dictated to as to the subjects I should raise."

Although Martin came to power in December 2003 promising to repair relations with the United States that were damaged by his predecessor's decision not to take part in the Iraq War, he has shown little hesitation in attacking Washington.

The two sides are locked in a protracted dispute over the U.S. decision to slap tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber shipments on the grounds they are unfairly subsidized. Canada says its lumber producers are not subsidized.

Ottawa is fighting the case through various trade panels and complains Washington is not respecting its obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

"This dispute with the United States demands leadership at the national level in Canada, even if that leadership happens to rankle some in the U.S.," said Martin, whose minority Liberal government fell last month over a corruption scandal.

Martin may feel he is on safe ground politically, since polls show most Canadians dislike U.S. President George W. Bush. But Wilkins said the continued attacks could start undermining the close relationship between the two countries.

Wilkins said his comments were aimed at improving relations between two major trading partners, and had "no intention of in any way affecting an election which is the business of Canadians."

"I don't presume I can dictate to anybody," Wilkins said after addressing a forum in Ottawa.

Martin also attacked Stephen Harper, leader of the main opposition Conservative party, saying he had been silent on the softwood lumber issue.

Harper, who criticizes what he says is Martin's needless antagonism of the Bush administration, knows that his electoral chances could be fatally undermined if he allows himself to be portrayed as too pro-American.

"I actually think the (U.S.) ambassador's intervention was inappropriate... I don't think foreign ambassadors should be expressing their views, or intervening in an election," Harper told reporters in Vancouver.

But Jack Layton, leader of the left-leaning New Democratic Party, who has demanded the Liberals take a tougher line with Washington in the softwood fight, dismissed Martin's comments as "shameless posturing."

"Whipping up the rhetoric about George Bush is very easy to do... Canadians have known that the Liberals will say anything in an election to get elected. I think now the ambassador has discovered the same thing," Layton said.

Harper equated Martin's dealings with the United States on softwood to a kid who calls names but is afraid to fight. "He hasn't thrown a punch. He couldn't throw a punch to save his life," he said.

Copyright 2005 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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My heavens! the US trying to influence nations!..NO WAY! :laugh:...wow canada grew some balls lol..I wonder what the bush Administration told Canada to talk about in the election...hmmmm lemme quesss terrorism and treasonist Lefties..ok back to studying for my finals.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/12/14/canada.martin.reut/index.html

-Grant

[seanskins]

Paul Martin is a douche, but he has a point!

[KDawg]

Looks like it's time to take over Canada... (I only half mean that, I swear.)

[Destino]

Hard to imagine a world where tariffs on softwood lumber shipments are taking center stage in a national election. :laugh:

[KDawg]

Hard to imagine a world where tariffs on softwood lumber shipments are taking center stage in a national election. :laugh:

That's the problem with Canada, they settle for softwood... The US has all the hardwood.

[zoony]

The anti- U.S. sentiment in Canada to me, is concerning.

I was having beers not too long ago and struck up a conversation with a guy from Canada... to hear him tell it pretty much 90% of Canadians despise America.

I hear a lot about it in the media too.

[Winslowalrob]

The anti- U.S. sentiment in Canada to me, is concerning.

I was having beers not too long ago and struck up a conversation with a guy from Canada... to hear him tell it pretty much 90% of Canadians despise America.

I hear a lot about it in the media too.

We also hate Canada though. They just happen to be our biggest trading partner, but we treat them like mooks, and I guess its finally catching up to us.

[visionary]

The anti- U.S. sentiment in Canada to me, is concerning.

I was having beers not too long ago and struck up a conversation with a guy from Canada... to hear him tell it pretty much 90% of Canadians despise America.

I hear a lot about it in the media too.

Oh, crap! What about the other hundred Canadians?

[dreamingwolf]

sounds like someone has been talking to aliens again

[Jizmaglobin]

finally,somebody has the guts enough to tell the us to but out of thier business.it's about time.so are we going to go in search of WMD?

[Thiebear]

Although Martin came to power in December 2003 promising to repair relations with the United States that were damaged by his predecessor's decision not to take part in the Iraq War, he has shown little hesitation in attacking Washington.

Hmmm, then maybe he shouldnt have promised...

Canada is Beaver to our Wally... Mexico being Eddie

[ThatGuy]

Hard to imagine a world where tariffs on softwood lumber shipments are taking center stage in a national election. :laugh:

Its not a big issue here in Southern Ontario. It may be a big issue in rural areas but here its the typical 'Education, Healthcare, Taxes' election campaign.

[Kilmer17]

Dear Canada,

You're welcome for the decades of military protection.

Now shut up and cook our breakfast.

[SkinsOrlando]

Dear Canada,

You're welcome for the decades of military protection.

Now shut up and cook our breakfast.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :D

"I just don't see what all the fuss is aboot"

[wskin44]

Does Canada have oil? If they do then maybe we should go in and protect it from terrorists and Canadian politicians. For the good of the Canadian people of course.

[seanskins]

Northern Alberta will being supplying you guys oil for the next century. As far as taking us over, all I have to say is 1812. ; )

[Destino]

Dear Canada,

You're welcome for the decades of military protection.

Now shut up and cook our breakfast.

Just curious, who exactly wanted to attack canada in the last several decades?

[Kilmer17]

Just pointing out that our military strength has allowed Canada to not spend their own money on defense, allowing them to spend money elsewhere.

[seanskins]

Why would we have to spend money on military, we keep our noses out of everyone elses business, not many socialist/liberal countries have massive miliary's, ie. scandanvian nations, australia, etc.

Now I realize that may have come off as an insult, I simply meant we are not a world power and have little to do with global politics.

[Kilmer17]

Of course, you dont HAVE to. We do it for you.

[Destino]

Why would we have to spend money on military, we keep our noses out of everyone elses business, not many socialist/liberal countries have massive miliary's, ie. scandanvian nations, australia, etc.

Now I realize that may have come off as an insult, I simply meant we are not a world power and have little to do with global politics.

Without us Cuba would have taken you over long ago! Just think of what a cuban/canadian accent would sound like and thank us with free shipments of your precious soft wood!

[seanskins]

And we are all very thankful, and I wouldnt be to concerned, the way things are going it seems like continental integration is on the horizon, you may get us anyways.

[seanskins]

And we are all very thankful, and I wouldnt be to concerned, the way things are going it seems like continental integration is on the horizon, you may get us anyways.

[Thiebear]

Im sure Kuwait thought they kept their noses outta others business' also.

Actually I believe that is the last thing said by EVERY country that gets taken over due to not having a military...

[Destino]

Im sure Kuwait thought they kept their noses outta others business' also.

Actually I believe that is the last thing said by EVERY country that gets taken over due to not having a military...

There is a big difference when you live next to a lunatic controlled country and when you have one democratic neighbor.