Chretien says no need to call Bush after U.S. troops achieve Baghdad success

Cnews ^ | 4/9/03 | LOUISE ELLIOTT

[Mark]

Chretien says no need to call Bush after U.S. troops achieve Baghdad success By LOUISE ELLIOTT

OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien said Wednesday there's no immediate need for him to call George W. Bush about developments in Baghdad, brushing aside the need to mend fences with the United States.

Chretien maintained that recent critical remarks by Liberal MPs about Bush and about Americans in general have not offended the president, who is still scheduled to visit Ottawa in May. "Sometimes things are said in other nations that are not pleasant, and the president, like other presidents or other prime ministers don't get up every morning to correct them and send telegrams and apologies," he told a news conference.

"He has other things to do in life."

Chretien said the U.S. may be disappointed over Canada's refusal to join the military coalition against Iraq, but he said it was a principled stand. And he said comments by MPs such as Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal, who questioned Bush's abilities as a statesman, would not have preoccupied Bush.

But Chretien seemed to acknowledge there's at least a chance Bush may cancel his visit, a possibility that has attracted growing speculation since U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci spoke out on the MPs' remarks a few weeks ago.

"(Bush is) coming next month and unless he decides to change his mind - I don't know, but the plans are proceeding, and I know that he wants to come to Canada, this I am sure of, and I know we'll have occasion (to talk)."

Chretien said reports that U.S.-Canada relations have soured are exaggerated, and said the U.S. was pleased with Canada's willingness, for example, to send troops and ships to Afghanistan during the Iraq conflict.

"I think that there is quite an exaggeration there," he said.

"The president of the United States knows since a long time, since last summer, what was the position of Canada. When I met him in Detroit, when he decided to go to the United Nations, he knew. I told him again, 'Congratulations, you're seeking approval of the United Nations, and if you get it I'll be with you, and if you don't get it I will not be with you.' "

[Mark]

Admit it Jean, old boy, Bush changed his phone number and didn't give it to you, chump.

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[joey'smom]

Shouldn't it be Jean Cretin? ;)

[Mark]

That works for me!

[SwinneySwitch]

GW thinks Chretien is a Real A-hole!

[xJones]

Prime Minister Jean Chretien said Wednesday there's no immediate need for him to call George W. Bush about developments in Baghdad,...

Well, there's really not any need for Le Cretin to call Bush because there aren't any Canadian troops in Iraq. There's British, Australian, American, and Polish, but no Canadians. And Bush would probably blow a loud horn in the phone receiver if Chretien did get lucky enough to reach the "imbecile dumb cowboy".

Dubya does have an amazing capacity to make others look extremely stupid.

[GnuHere]

Aw, gee. And I'm sure our prez is waiting with bated breath just to hear from what's-his-name.

[Nagilum]

How does a Quebecer become PM of a predominantly English country...I think its time for regime change in Canada. I've been to Canada and most seem very good people, much more so than Europeans I've met. They deserve better.

[albertabound]

Lots of Canadians in the U.S. Forces, one was killed today.

[Enduring Freedom]

DO NOT GO TO CANADA!

It will be an act of betrayal to Canadians to endorse this incompetent, evil buffoon.

Show allegiance to the conservative Canadian movement by snubbing Chretien and giving them ammunition to oust the Socialist Liberals from power.

The momentum is building - do not dissipate it by giving Chretien a photo-op to ridicule his opposition and say "see, all is well with the Yanks".

Socialists need to pay for their betrayal of freedom and justice, and Chretien must be shamed and pay a big, historical political cost.

[Leisler]

"The president of the United States knows since a long time, since last summer, what was the position of Canada. When I met him in Detroit, when he decided to go to the United Nations, he knew. I told him again, 'Congratulations, you're seeking approval of the United Nations, and if you get it I'll be with you, and if you don't get it I will not be with you.' "

The UN first and frig you, Iraqi kids in prison, 25 million in a Stalinist terror state, and the Marines and Army soldiers.....'cause your not worth it.

More, and not less, that's what the Canadian leader said.

[Astronaut]

Would President Bush take the frenchman's call? I doubt it. Chretien is a flea as far as George W. Bush is concerned.

[mitchbert]

There are close to 2,000 Canadian troops in theatre. Our hopless PM won't admit it. They're on boats patrolling the Gulf, deployed with U.S. and British units in combat, there was even a runour that we had some of our SOF folks on the ground.. Apparantly, one was KIA yesterday. For us, we're embarassed and humilated by our PM and his sheep.

G-d Bless America, and bring her troops home safe.

[Smitty]

Big Time!!!

[quidnunc]

xJones wrote: Dubya does have an amazing capacity to make others look extremely stupid.

Chretien is perfectly capable of making himself look stupid without any assistance from Dubya.

[Howlin]

[Billthedrill]

That would be Corporal Bernard Gooden. RIP. It would be nice to think that Chretien even knows his name.

[xJones]

You are right, there are valiant Canadian volunteers in this war. And the French Chretain does not represent Western Canada. There is a good thread today on the gallantry of the Canadian troops, Vimy Ridge, 1917. click

[painter]

"Prime Minister Jean Chretien"

As far as I'm concerned He can,"KISS MY ASS!".

I am sick and tired of these Canucks pontificate about our foriegn policy while We protect their Sorry ass Country!!!

[Mark]

Thank you. I hope liberals in both of our countries get flushed down the sewers where they belong.