RICE CAN EXPECT LESS-THAN-FRIENDLY DISCUSSION WITH CANADIAN P.M.

Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice arrived in Ottawa today for discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, and the meetings promise to be tough as Martin will seek concessions from the USA on several fronts.

The most attention seems to be on the question of softwood lumber duties charged Canadian producers for product crossing the border, a longstanding source of contention. The USA claims that Canada unfairly subsidizies the lumber industry, although North American Free Trade Agreement appeals panels have ruled that is not the case. Martin apparantly plans to press his demand, originally stated during a recent trip to New York, that the USA return up to $5 billion in collected tariffs to Canadian lumber producers.

Other issues likely to be discussed include the USA's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, part of which will require Americans visiting Canada (or anywhere else across North America and the Caribbean, for that matter) to present a passport when travelling across the border in 2008, even US citizens reentering the country. And Martin is especially concerned about the smuggling of guns into his country, saying that up to half the crimes in Canada that include the use of guns are committed with firearms brought in from the USA.

Liberal Party parlimentary members will debate the latter two issues scheduled for today and tomorrow, timed to coincide with the Secretary's visit.