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Politics : Sioux Nation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SiouxPal who wrote (1941)	11/25/2004 1:24:21 PM
From: abuelita	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 361119

told you the coward wouldn't address parliament. he's afraid of demonstrations too. Bush's visit to be one day in Halifax, one in Ottawa He'll say thank you to Atlantic Canadians, bypass Parliament Tim Naumetz and Sean Gordon, with file from Sheldon Alberts in Washington CanWest News Service November 25, 2004 CREDIT: Lawrence Jackson, Associated Press George W. Bush turned down invitation to address Parliament. OTTAWA -- U.S. President George W. Bush will visit Halifax during his two-day trip to Canada next week to personally thank thousands of Atlantic Canadians who opened their homes to American airline passengers whose flights were grounded after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. The surprise White House announcement Wednesday means Bush will sidestep one day of massive demonstrations expected in Ottawa during his visit and allow him to cap the two-day trip with upbeat, positive publicity. The House of Commons security service and RCMP are preparing for demonstrations on a scale not seen since thousands of protesters lined the streets of Ottawa in 1987 to jeer U.S. president Ronald Reagan and his controversial "star wars" missile-defence system. However, despite the expected protests over the war in Iraq, even Liberal MPs expressed disappointment that Bush will not to speak to a joint sitting of MPs and senators in Parliament. The Canadian government and, reportedly, the U.S. embassy lobbied for an address to Parliament, but U.S. officials were by mid-week pointedly describing the trip as a working session with Prime Minister Paul Martin and other officials rather than a full-blown state visit. There were even grumblings on Parliament Hill that a dinner for Bush, to be held Tuesday at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que., was too low-key, with only House officers such as party whips and House leaders, a selected group of business leaders and a limited number of government dignitaries invited. Bush returns to Washington from Halifax on Wednesday. Conservative leader Stephen Harper blamed derisive comments about Bush from Liberals -- notably former Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish -- for the decision to have a low-key visit. "I know there's all kinds of official excuses, but my fear is the president and his people just felt this wouldn't necessarily turn out to be a flattering occasion for them," said Harper. "I think that's really to our detriment." Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan -- who expressed surprise at the news Bush would visit Halifax -- confirmed the president turned down an invitation to speak to Parliament. "The invitation was extended ... and I know that we would have been delighted had he chosen to speak to Parliament, but he has not," said McLellan. McLellan, also the government's public-safety minister, urged protesters who were planning demonstrations to conduct themselves peacefully and share their plans with police. "Everyone's purpose is served [by cooperating with police]. People get to express their views freely, the point of the demonstration is made and well reported, but people's property and well-being are not endangered," McLellan said. Montreal Liberal MP Marlene Jennings and other Liberals said they, too, were disappointed Bush would not speak to Parliament. "I think the signals have been very, very clear on the part of all MPs that he would have received a very courteous welcome," said Jennings. The Halifax address will more than make up for Bush's failure to thank Canada for its 9/11 help in his state-of-the-union address in January 2002, but two Newfoundland MPs said Bush should also visit their province, where the majority of stranded U.S. airline passengers were taken in following the 2001 attacks. "I wish he was going to St. John's," said Newfoundland Liberal MP Bill Matthews. St. John's Conservative MP Loyola Hearn said Newfoundlanders also deserve a direct thank you. "It doesn't have to be either-or, because Halifax undoubtedly played an important part too, but nowhere near the part that Newfoundland played," said Hearn. "I believe if he is going to issue an official thank you ... he should do it where most was done at the time." Both noted that many of the Americans who enjoyed the province's hospitality in 2001 have never forgotten. Some have established scholarships for Newfoundland students, while others return each year to visit. Nova Scotia NDP MP Peter Stoffer suggested the government invite all four Atlantic premiers to meet Bush in Halifax to accept Bush's regards on behalf of all Atlantic Canadians. © The Vancouver Sun 2004 canada.com