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Bush failed to act as statesman-Canadian Minister
( 2003-03-20 08:40 ) (7 )

Members of "Code Pink for Peace" march at the Capitol in Washington March 19, 2003, as part of an anti-war demonstration against the possibility of war with Iraq. US and British troops moved into forward positions on Wednesday, ready to unleash a massive assault on Iraq as time ran out for President Saddam Hussein to avoid war by choosing exile. [Reuters]

A senior Canadian minister criticized US President George W. Bush on Wednesday for failing to act as a statesman, in the latest in a series of barbs by members of Canada's ruling Liberal Party as the United States gears up for a war with Iraq.

"The world expects someone who is the president of a superpower to be a statesman," Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal told reporters, describing war with Iraq as premature.

"I think he has let not only Americans but the world down by not being a statesman as people expect of someone who is president of a superpower."

Dhaliwal's comments may boost tensions with a US administration that is already disappointed with Canada's refusal to commit troops to an attack on Iraq.

The State Department voiced its disappointment on Tuesday "that some of our closest allies, including Canada, do not agree on the urgent need for action" in Iraq.

"This government has constantly antagonized the current American administration with its anti-American comments and policies," Val Meredith of the official opposition Canadian Alliance told Parliament.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien's top spokeswoman resigned in November after calling Bush a moron in what she thought was a private conversation.

Liberal Member of Parliament Carolyn Parrish, in remarks directed against the US administration, said in February she hated "damned Americans" and called them "bastards."

Relations have always been cool between Bush, a staunch conservative, and Chretien, who is proud to say he's liberal.

Chretien has chosen his words carefully this week, saying that war was not justified but declaring he respected Bush's authority to act in defense of Americans.

Deputy Prime Minister John Manley, one of the most ardent defenders of the United States in the Canadian cabinet, sought to smooth over relations after Dhaliwal's remarks.

"I think that it's important for us to maintain our consistent and principled position ... and to avoid as much as possible any characterization of the US or its motives," he told a crush of journalists.

"They are dealing with issues that are difficult for them as well as the world, and I think we can disagree very respectfully."

A whopping 87 percent of Canadian exports go to the United States and Canada buys 25 percent of US exports, in what is the world's largest trading relationship. Opposition politicians and some Liberals have cautioned against jeopardizing that relationship.

Bush is scheduled to pay a state visit to Ottawa on May 5.

(Reuters)