Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has decided not to go to the United States next month to receive an award because of the present war in Iraq, it is reported Friday.
Chretien had been planning to attend a dinner by the US National Parks Conservation Association on April 10 to celebrate his decision to create 15 new national parks in Canada. But a spokesperson at the prime minister's office told reporters that Chretien would not be going.
The Canadian prime minister reportedly did not feel comfortable receiving an award for personal achievements while American women and men are engaged in a war.
According to a report by the Canadian Television, a planned state visit by US President George Bush to Canada in May this year is also under serious threat. There are reportedly fears that the visit would prompt anti-war protests in Ottawa during his scheduled speech to the Canadian Parliament.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2003)
|