West Coast Connection Forum

Lifestyle => Train of Thought => Topic started by: Lincoln on November 16, 2004, 05:30:17 PM

Title: Bush sets Nov. 30 for official visit to Canada
Post by: Lincoln on November 16, 2004, 05:30:17 PM
U.S. President George W. Bush has scheduled his first official visit to Canada for the end of the month.

Although details of the trip have yet to be released, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said the trip will last two days.

"Paul Martin today announced that he will host an official visit to Ottawa by United States President George W. Bush on Tuesday, November 30 and Wednesday, December 1, 2004," the statement read.

Hot on the heels of his recent re-election, the trip will be President Bush's first official visit. It is not, however, his first-ever trip to Canada. He's already been twice, dropping in on international summits in Quebec and Alberta. 

Bush had been scheduled to pay an official visit to his northern neighbour in the spring of 2003.

Citing the demands of the Iraq war, the White House cancelled that trip before it happened.

Since then, many have wondered whether the traditionally close relationship between Ottawa and Washington had been strained by former prime minister Jean Chretien's decision not to send troops on the U.S.-led Iraq campaign.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has done his best to distance himself from Chretien's outspoken views of Bush.

Nevertheless, there remain a host of outstanding issues between Canada and the U.S.

In addition to security-related issues such as border controls, missile defence and Iraq, there are the ongoing trade disputes over softwood lumber and the beef industry.

A re-emerging issue on which the two leaders are expected to look for common ground is the stalled Middle East peace process -- and the new political opportunities brought about with the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

"I think that whenever there is a change of authority under circumstances such as this, that there is an opportunity that should not be missed," Martin told a news conference in Vancouver on Monday.

"The economic reconstruction of the Palestinian state is going to be absolutely crucial, if in fact it's going to lead to peace. This is something that I think all of us, and certainly Canada, have got to turn our attention to."

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1100641521880_96050721?hub=topstories
Title: Re: Bush sets Nov. 30 for official visit to Canada
Post by: *Jamal* on November 16, 2004, 05:32:32 PM
Bush is visiting Canada....  :o
Title: Re: Bush sets Nov. 30 for official visit to Canada
Post by: Lincoln on November 16, 2004, 05:34:16 PM
Bush is visiting Canada....  :o


If he didn't he'd be the first one to never visit.
Title: Re: Bush sets Nov. 30 for official visit to Canada
Post by: Suga Foot on November 16, 2004, 09:40:55 PM
Bush is visiting Canada....  :o


that's what I was thinking, why is he wasting his time? lol