Posted on 12/13/2005 11:52:06 AM PST by proud_yank
The U.S. ambassador to Canada has rebuked Prime Minister Paul Martin, saying he risks damaging relations between the countries by dragging the United States into the federal election campaign.
Wilkins didn't name Martin directly but left no doubt that he was talking about the prime minister when he warned against scoring cheap political points against Washington.
"It may be smart election-year politics to thump your chest and criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner constantly," Ambassador David Wilkins said in a speech to the Canadian Club in Ottawa on Tuesday.
"But it is a slippery slope, and all of us should hope that it doesn't have a long-term impact on the relationship."
He said Canada and the United States have one of the best relations in the world, but warned that he often wouldn't know it by comments made in the election campaign or stories in Canadian media.
"It's easy to criticize the United States, we're an easy target at times," Wilkins said. "...But the last time I looked, the United States was not on the ballot."
Martin irked Washington with Kyoto comments
During the fall, Martin has angered Washington by criticizing a number of U.S. policies, including its position on softwood lumber duties.
A few days earlier, the White House officially complained about comments that the prime minister made at the UN climate change conference in Montreal.
FROM DEC. 7, 2005: Martin urges nations to get tough on energy consumption
In a speech, Martin had singled out the United States and, in particular, the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush for refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse-gas reductions.
Martin also urged the United States – estimated to produce one-quarter of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions – to listen to the "global conscience" on climate-change issues.
On Dec. 9, Jim Connaughton, chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, chastised Canadian Ambassador Frank McKenna over Martin's comments.
He told McKenna they were the worst slight against Bush since Germany's Gerhard Schroeder suggested Bush's stance against the Kyoto Protocol was responsible for hurricane Katrina.
FROM DEC. 9, 2005: Washington furious over Martin's climate change comments
U.S. better than Canada on greenhouse-gas emissions: Wilkins
Wilkins noted the United States has a better track record on cutting its greenhouse-gas emissions, as a percentage of its total, than Canada does.
Since Kyoto was signed, Canada's greenhouse-gas emissions have gone up 24 per cent over 1990 levels, while U.S. emissions have climbed 13.3 per cent from 1990 to 2003.
"I would respectfully submit to you that when it comes to a 'global conscience,' the United States is walking the walk," Wilkins said.
I'm not targeting U.S., Martin says
Martin fended off the criticisms as he talked to reporters while campaigning in Surrey, B.C.
"I have not made the United States or any country a target in the campaign," Martin said.
He said it was his job as the leader of the country to tackle issues such as the softwood lumber dispute, which has been the main trade irritant between Canada and the United States for several years.
awesome...so it was on CBC :D
at least a few of us will see what your Embassy said....love it...tide is turning, churning...:D
"Canada, you just wait 'til your father gets home!"
Hmm, the WH might want to start slapping down the homegrown bad mouthing. They could start with Kerry, Teddy, and Murtha.
LOL! "Canada, go cut me a switch!"
Stick it to that bastard. Glad to see somebody in Washington speaking up. It seems our ambassadors are our most outspoken individuals. If only John Bolton had more power.
"It may be smart election-year politics to thump your chest and criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner constantly," Ambassador David Wilkins said in a speech to the Canadian Club in Ottawa on Tuesday. "
If it is smart election year politics then that would imply that such rhetoric is bound to help a candidate win the most votes. Therefore it means these attacks on the US are popular with a majority of voting Canadians. So why, then, are we still best friends with them?
I rank Martin in there with Schroeder (RIP) and Chirac -- idiot socialists all.
Wonderful! It's refreshing to see our Government standing up to the America-haters for a change.
For what?
Be nice if they did it at home too!
Couldn't agree more. Yet, there are a lot of conservatives in Canada - think the reason that socialists rule is because of the Parliamentary type of government they employ up there. America is unique in the world IMO.
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For John Bolton's diminished power.
Eeegads!
Directed by Michael Moore!
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