Groton, Conn. — Canada has "stepped up to the plate" in such international hotspots as Iraq and Afghanistan, thereby improving relations with the United States, Paul Cellucci, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, said Monday.
Mr. Cellucci and Michael Kergin, the Canadian ambassador to the United States, told the annual meeting of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers that relations between the two countries are now in good shape.
Mr. Cellucci congratulated Canada for sending almost 2,000 troops to help secure the peace in Afghanistan.
"And Canada has stepped up to the plate with significant financial contributions to the rehabilitation of Iraq," the U.S. ambassador said.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest fields a question Monday as Connecticut Governor John Rowland, left, looks on at the annual meeting of Eastern Canadian premiers and New England governors in Groton, Conn. (Andrew Vaughan/CP)
The comments were new signs of a friendlier relationship between Canada and the United States following a rift that developed over Canada's stand on Iraq.
Mr. Cellucci took Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to task earlier this year for failing to send troops to Iraq, but he has softened his tone over time.
Still, both Mr. Cellucci and Mr. Kergin said there are issues to be resolved, especially in the area of trade.
Mr. Kergin said he's concerned about new shipping inventory regulations being considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The new rules requiring advance clearance would pose serious problems for people exporting perishable goods from Canada, such as seafood and produce.
"Lobsters don't pose a bioterrorist threat," Mr. Kergin told the governors and premiers.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he's very concerned about the seemingly endless dispute over softwood lumber.
He told the ambassadors there needs to be a rapid and long-term solution.
"We are suffering greatly in Quebec in terms of lost jobs," Mr. Charest said.
Mr. Celluci said he's interested in finding common ground to put the issue to rest and he believes some headway has been made.
The annual meeting of New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers concludes Tuesday with a discussion of environmental issues.
