Prime minister emphasizes ties

Paul Martin defended the decision not to send Canadian troops to Iraq.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In his first official visit to the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin is meeting with President Bush after talking with congressional leaders about border security, trade and Iraq.
Martin said his agenda with Bush today would include discussions on energy, electricity and environmental cooperation, as well as trade disputes.
On a goodwill trip Thursday to Capitol Hill, Martin introduced himself to top lawmakers with whom he discussed issues ranging from prescription drug importation to Canada's decision not to send troops to Iraq.
That decision to refuse to back the U.S.-led war in Iraq put strain on relations between Ottawa and Washington last year. Trade disputes over softwood lumber and mad cow disease only complicated matters.
Martin, who has pledged to strengthen ties with the United States since becoming prime minister in December, announced the creation of a department in the Canadian Embassy to lobby Congress on Canada's behalf.
In a speech before his Capitol Hill visit, Martin defended Canada's stance on Iraq.
"I believe this was the right decision for Canada, and Canadians supported it. But there is no disagreement at all with what has to be done going forward," he told a global development forum.
Other contributions
Although it refused to send troops to Iraq, Canada has a significant military presence in Afghanistan and some troops in the Balkans and Haiti. It also pledged $300 million for Iraq's reconstruction effort and is providing training in Jordan for Iraqi police.
"And as circumstances permit, we are prepared to do significantly more in this and other areas of institution-building," Martin said, adding that he considers it vital for the United Nations to move back into Iraq as soon as possible.
Iraq and possibilities of a greater NATO role were the centerpiece of Martin's talks with Sen. Richard Lugar, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Joseph Biden, the panel's ranking Democrat, an aide said.
In his speech, Martin also urged intensified cooperation with the United States to protect North American borders against threats posed by "failing and failed states" or terrorists acting on their own.
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