Harper Seals ‘Sixth Priority’ With Washington Trip

In dealing with their southern neighbour, Canadian leaders face the challenge of forging a relationship that is close, but not cosy, as Jean Chrétien, a former Liberal prime minister, put it. “Canadians watch every prime minister’s actions on the bilateral front very closely,” says Paul Frazer, a Canadian lobbyist in Washington. Neither Mr Chrétien nor his Liberal successor Paul Martin endeared themselves to the Bush administration. Mr Chrétien declined to send Canadian troops to Iraq, while Mr Martin criticised the US for not signing the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Some other Liberals were downright insulting. By contrast, Mr Harper has made several moves helpful to the US. He has secured parliamentary approval to extend the mission of 2,300 Canadian troops in Afghanistan until 2009. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/859e6748-0c4d-11db-86c7-0000779e2340.html [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on July 6, 2006]

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