Canada to stay out of US missile defence

Canada's minority Liberal government, in a snub to US President George W. Bush, said yesterday it would not take part in the controversial US missile defence system, which is unpopular with many Canadian voters.

Washington's ambassador to Ottawa said he found the decision "very perplexing" and said the United States would press ahead with the system, which is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles from adversaries such as North Korea.

The announcement marks an abrupt change in policy by Prime Minister Paul Martin, who came to power in December 2003 saying he backed the idea of signing on to the missile system and deepening the integration of the two countries' defences.

But the idea makes little political sense now. Mr Martin lost his parliamentary majority in the June 2004 election, some Liberal legislators dislike missile defence and the survival of Martin's government depends on a minority party opposed to the system.

"We are announcing today that Canada will not take part in the proposed ballistic missile defence system," Mr Martin told reporters, saying Ottawa would, however, continue to work closely with Washington in matters of defence and foreign affairs.

The decision marks the second time in recent years the Liberals have rejected US military plans. In March 2003, Ottawa refused to take part in the war on Iraq.

"We simply cannot understand why Canada would, in effect, give up its sovereignty, its seat at the table, to decide what to do about a missile that might be heading towards Canada. It's very perplexing to us... we really don't get it," US Ambassador Paul Cellucci told reporters.

Mr Cellucci has complained frequently about what he sees as Canada's miserly defence spending. Mr Martin pointed out that, in a federal budget delivered on Wednesday, Ottawa had promised to pour billions of dollars into its armed forces.

"Ballistic missile defence is not where we will concentrate our efforts. Instead we will act - both alone and with our neighbors - on defence priorities such as those outlined in yesterday's budget," Mr Martin said.

Canadian officials are confident the decision will not prompt Washington to exacerbate two trade disputes involving exports of softwood lumber and live cattle to the US.

The opposition Conservative Party, however, said Mr Martin's decision means Canadians will suffer.