Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : America Under Siege: The End of Innocence -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ga Bard who wrote (5232)	9/25/2001 2:11:19 AM
From: Jim Bishop	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 27666

Bush Calls Chretien 'Brother' in War on Terrorism By Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Facing allegations at home that his government has been slow to fight terrorism, Prime Minister Jean Chretien won a warm endorsement on Monday as a "brother" from U.S. President George W. Bush. Visiting Washington to pledge his support for Bush's "war on terrorism" after the attacks on Washington and New York, Chretien is fending off domestic criticism that his government does not spend enough on intelligence, military and security. Opposition politicians have also demanded that Canada tighten its immigration laws and assailed Chretien's government for releasing a Syrian man suspected of having links to Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks. After meeting Chretien in the Oval Office, Bush went out of his way to praise the Canadian prime minister's offers of support for the United States as the two stood side by side in the White House Rose Garden. Noting that some Canadians took offense at Bush's failure to mention Canada in his address to a joint session of Congress last week, the U.S. president suggested Canadian opposition politicians were "playing politics" in criticizing Chretien. "I didn't necessarily think it was important to praise a brother," Bush said. "After all we're talking about family. There should no doubt in anybody's mind about how honored we are to have the support of the Canadians." "I guess there's somebody playing politics with you, Mr. prime minister," he added. "But I suggest those who try to play politics with my words and drive wedges between Canada and me understand that at this time, when nations are under attack, now is not the time for politics." Nearly 7,000 people are missing or feared dead in the attacks by hijackers who took control of four aircraft, smashing two into New York's World Trade Center and a third into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field. NO REQUEST FOR MILITARY HELP After lunching with Bush, Chretien told reporters the two leaders had agreed to collaborate on tightening border security but Bush had not asked for military assistance. "I said that if there was a need, we will be there to help him," Chretien said. Canada's military has been cut so severely that it has relatively little to offer, but some have suggested it could contribute special operations commandos or fighter aircraft. Asked if he was worried about losing national sovereignty if the two neighbors ended up harmonizing their border and immigration policies, Chretien said: "Not at all. He was very clear to say, you pass your laws, we'll pass our laws." Chretien said Bush did not voice dissatisfaction with Canada's security, but the two countries had agreed to make necessary legislative changes as needed. U.S. National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack added: "The point here is not to press U.S. standards or policies on Canada or to turn the border into an obstacle to trade that is vital to both countries, but rather there is need for cooperation" after the attacks. Chretien's government has come under fire for releasing Nabil al-Marabh, a Syrian who has frequently run afoul of U.S. and Canadian laws and is suspected of having links to bin Laden. Marabh was previously apprehended by U.S. authorities when he tried to slip into New York from Ontario in the back of a tractor trailer with forged Canadian papers. The United States handed him over to Canada, but authorities there subsequently released him on bail. The FBI arrested Marabh again last week in Chicago and is questioning him in connection with the attacks in the United States. Chretien has also faced criticism at home for attending a fund-raiser of his governing Liberal Party in Toronto on Monday rather than paying his respects in New York along with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac. Chretien said, however, that New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani had advised him a visit to New York at the time would not be helpful. "I wanted to go there, but I listened to the advice of the mayor," the Canadian prime minister said. (Additional reporting by Randall Palmer)