Rice delays Canada visit after missile decision
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-02 11:37

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has put off plans to visit Canada after its decision not to take part in the U.S. missile defense system, a U.S. official said on Tuesday.

The official, who did not wish to be named, said there were other factors in the decision but did not identify these.

A second U.S. official said Rice had conveyed her regret at the Canadian decision directly to Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew during a brief conversation but that both agreed to cooperate on defense issues where possible.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has put off plans to visit Canada after its decision not to take part in the U.S. missile defense system, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. In this photo, Rice arrives for a meeting in London, March 1, 2005.[Reuters]

"They talked about missile defense. He explained their political process. She explained our disappointment," said this official, adding that both said they were committed to "the defense relationship."

"She said she looked forward to visiting and he said we look forward to welcoming you and we'll have to find a day that works," the official added.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, speaking through an aide, earlier confirmed Rice had delayed plans for a visit to Canada but cited scheduling conflicts and said she hoped to go soon.

"We were in fact looking (at) a date, but the schedules didn't work out," an aide to Boucher quoted him as saying. "We look forward to seeing the Canadians soon and are looking for a date when we can make that happen."

Canada's minority Liberal government, in a snub to U.S. President George W. Bush, said on Thursday it would not take part in the missile defense system, which is unpopular with many Canadian voters.

The system is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles from adversaries such as North Korea.

Canada's decision marked an abrupt change in policy by Prime Minister Paul Martin, who came to power in December 2003 saying he backed the idea of signing up to the missile system and deepening the integration of the two nations' defenses.

The decision marks the second time in recent years the Liberals have rejected U.S. military plans, following Ottawa's refusal in March 2003 to take part in the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

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