McKenna miffed by Martin's remarks

Canadian Press via Sun Media ^

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WASHINGTON (CP) - The U.S. administration has told Canadian Ambassador Frank McKenna it strongly disagrees with Prime Minister Paul Martin's recent negative remarks regarding American policy on climate change, U.S. officials said Friday.

The disapproval was voiced at a meeting Thursday between McKenna and Jim Connaughton, the White House's environmental guru, the officials said. But both Connaughton's office and the Canadian Embassy denied reports that McKenna was summoned to the White House for a tongue-lashing over the Martin comments.

Absolutely not, said Michele St. Martin, spokeswoman for the Council on Environmental Quality headed by Connaughton, calling it a routine get-together between two men who have a strong relationship.

"That ambassador asked to see Jim to discuss a number of issues including the climate change meeting in Montreal and other matters they're working on in typical fashion," said St. Martin.

"The door was open. There was no anger. There was no screaming. There was no drama of any kind," she said. St. Martin declined to go into the specifics of what they talked about.

McKenna was travelling in the United States and declined comment, but the Canadian Embassy backed up St. Martin's account.

"We asked for the meeting to talk about the (greenhouse gas) proposals and how the U.S. was responding," said embassy spokesman Bernard Etzinger.

U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity, however, said Connaughton was conveying the White House's displeasure at what they considered cheap electioneering by Martin in the campaign for the Jan. 23 vote in Canada.

"My understanding is that (he) made very clear his unhappiness over Mr. Martin's comments, particularly singling out the United States," said a State Department official.

On Wednesday, Martin accused the Americans of being deaf to global opinion on the need to sign the Kyoto Protocol limiting harmful emissions that contribute to global warming.

"We strongly disagree with some parts of the speech," a White House spokesman said. "I wouldn't call it anger."

One American official at the Montreal conference said Martin's words killed any hope of bringing Washington into discussions about deeper reductions after 2012 when the Kyoto accord runs out.

Regardless of what happened at the meeting, it's clear that Martin's latest comments have irritated Americans already weary after months of rhetoric over the softwood lumber trade dispute.

U.S. officials pointed out that Canada has a lousy record when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions despite signing on to Kyoto.

The Conservatives made a similar point in Canada, saying the Liberals "need to be accountable for their own dismal record on climate change instead of simply criticizing others."

Since signing Kyoto, Canadian greenhouse gas emissions have gone up 24 per cent over 1990 levels. Meanwhile, U.S. emissions have gone up 13.3 per cent from 1990 to 2003

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McKenna is a Liberal, former Premier of New Brunswick, and appointed Ambassador to the US by Mr Dithers (Paul Martin).

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[Dog Gone]

The stupidity of the Canadian government never ceases to amaze. Canada has a worse record in recent year in greenhouse emissions, yet feels compelled to yell at the USA.

Okay.

[Cicero]

Since signing Kyoto, Canadian greenhouse gas emissions have gone up 24 per cent over 1990 levels. Meanwhile, U.S. emissions have gone up 13.3 per cent from 1990 to 2003.

That seems clear enough. Almost double the American rate.

[coydog]

Just when I thought Martin couldn't possibly find another way to embarrass us.