US President George W. Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin tried to patch up strained US-Canadian ties Wednesday and Martin spoke of a "spirit of renewal" between the major trading partners that share a long border but parted ways over Iraq. 

In his first official visit to Canada since becoming president four years ago, Bush praised Martin as a "strong leader" and appeared as eager as the Canadian prime minister to end the rancor that existed between the US president and Martin's predecessor Jean Chretien.

"I'm here to tell you it's good to be in Canada," Bush said during a toast at a formal dinner hosted by Martin where Chretien was among the guests.

Bush acknowledged the differences over Iraq, but was unapologetic about going to war in 2003.

"I made some decisions, obviously, that some in Canada didn't agree with," he told a news conference with Martin.

Bush's unpopularity with many Canadians was underscored as thousands marched through the streets of the Canadian capital to protest the visit.

But the two leaders made light of the demonstrations, with Martin remarking jokingly that Bush seemed to draw larger crowds than he does.

"I don't know if that's good or bad," Bush said. "It all depends on who shows up I guess."

In another quip, Bush expressed appreciation for Canadians who greeted him on the route from the airport waving "with all five fingers."

Most protests were peaceful but police scuffled briefly with a few dozen people who tried to push their way through barricades near the Parliament buildings.

Helmeted protesters hit police with sticks while others threw missiles and paint bombs. At least one injured police officer was dragged away by his colleagues.

Hoping to ease tension on a nagging trade issue, Bush promised to try to expedite the opening of US borders to Canadian beef though little progress was made on a long-simmering dispute over softwood lumber.

(China Daily December 2, 2004)