Canada told to tone down attacks on US

Canada told to tone down attacks on US
By Francis Harris(Filed: 14/12/2005)
The United States last night issued an extraordinary
warning to Canadian politicians to tone down their
anti-American rhetoric or face the consequences.
Washington's ambassador to Ottawa intervened in
the Canadian election campaign after politicians
north of the border attacked their closest ally and
biggest trading partner.
In a televised speech, David Wilkins said:
"It may be smart election politics to thump your chest
and constantly criticise your friend and your Number
One trading partner.
"But it's a slippery slope and all of us should hope
it doesn't have a long-term impact on our
relationship."
The intervention by a US official in Canadian affairs
is virtually unknown and it underlined the strains
between the countries as anti-American feeling
has soared in the former British dominion.
While Mr Wilkins did not name any politicians, his
words were primarily aimed at the prime minister,
Paul Martin, a once pro-US figure who has won
votes in recent years by attacking Washington.
Last week during climate change negotiations,
Mr Martin said the Americans should listen to
the "global conscience" on the environment.
Mr Wilkins said America's emissions of
greenhouse gases were growing more slowly
than those of Canada.
The relationship has been damaged in recent
years by a series of personal attacks by leading
Canadians against President George W Bush.
A spokesman for Mr Martin's predecessor, Jean
Chretien, was overheard telling reporters that
Mr Bush was a moron and an MP from the ruling
Liberal party once said: "Damn Americans,
I hate the b*****ds."
Mr Martin's government lost a confidence vote last
month and a general election will be held on Jan 23.

Jean Chretien or the liberal party do not speak for me.
I am Pro American.