Miscues, Confusion Part Of The Agenda When Mr. Wilson Goes To Capitol Hill

Chairman Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican who organized the hearing on U.S.-Canada relations, admitted he had no idea when U.S. law would require passports for land crossing between the two countries, probably the single most contentious issue bedevilling the bilateral relationship. Mr. Wilson told him it was a fast approaching -- 18 months away, and Mr. Burton promised a follow-up telephone call to learn about the problem. After gushing introductions -- Mr. Wilson was told he looked like a "movie star" with his shock of snow-white hair -- the session stumbled. Mr. Burton gave an impassioned tribute to Canada "as a steadfast partner in the global war on terrorism," voiced deep regret at the combat death of "Captain Nicholas Goddard" and asked to send condolences "to his family." A staffer told Mr. Burton of his gaff and he subsequently apologized, noting "it was a young lady who died." Still, an unsettling sense prevailed that things were out of sync. Illinois Representative Jerry Weller told Mr. Wilson that "narco-trafficking is the greatest threat to democracy in our hemisphere," and asked the ambassador whether the new Canadian Conservative government was willing to follow the Bush administration's lead and pay Columbian peasant farmers growing coca to shift to coffee. "Full article:link" http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060526.WILSONMET26/TPStory/National [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on May 28, 2006]

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