MARTIN
RICHMOND, British Columbia (Reuters):
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin escalated the war of words with the United States yesterday, telling Washington not to dictate to him what topics he could raise in the run-up to the January 23 election.
U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins warned Martin and other Canadian politicians
on Tuesday not to bash the United States as part of their campaigning.
But Martin - who has regularly attacked the U.S. stance on a bilateral trade dispute over softwood lumber and also criticised Washington's approach to climate change - said he was not paying attention.
'TELL IT LIKE IT IS'
"When it comes to defending Canadian values, when it comes to standing up for Canadian interests, I'm going to call it like I see it," he told reporters in a lumber yard in Richmond, British Columbia.
"I am not going to be dictated to as to the subjects I should raise."
The United States has imposed a series of tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber shipments, saying they are unfairly subsidised. Ottawa is fighting the case through various trade panels and complains Washington is not respecting its obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
"This dispute with the United States demands leadership at the national level in Canada, even if that leadership happens to rankle some in the U.S.," said Martin, whose government lost power last month over a corruption scandal.
Martin may feel he is on safe ground politically, since polls show most Canadians dislike U.S. President George W. Bush. But Wilkins said the continued attacks could start undermining the close relationship between the two countries.
