Canada got a bit miffed about being barred from contracts seeing as how they'd already provided several millions of dollars for reconstruction (and is pledging $300m). And threatened to withhold any more payments.
Bush was "not happy" about the Pentagon letting the cat out of the bag before his buddy James Baker had gotten other soon-to-be-barred countries to agree to forgive Iraq's debts (presumably that was not going to be required of Saudi Arabia). Unsurprisingly, there's been a good deal of contention over the slip. He's still laughing like the idiot slime bucket he is about the threat of being sued under international law.
In the meantime, he calls up Chretien and says he's fixing everything.
Chretien said Bush called Thursday and, "he was telling me basically not to worry."
The prime minister, who retires Friday, received the call before 8 a.m. at 24 Sussex Dr.
The president's exact words on the issue were: "We are working to rectify the situation," said Chretien spokesman Stephen Hogue. article
Yeah, right. Don't worry. Because his word is his bond.
Chretien and Bush talked for about 10 minutes Thursday, said Chretien spokeswoman Thoren Hudyma.
Bush congratulated Chretien "on your very, very distinguished and honourable career," Hudyma said, quoting the president.
Chretien was "very moved," she said.
"The prime minister said to Bush: 'You know we've had a few disagreements in the past, but relations between our two countries have never been better.'"
Hudyma described the chat as very warm and cordial.
There was an infamous incident just over a year ago when former Chretien press aide Francoise Ducros called Bush "a moron." She lost her job after Chretien's attempts to defend her were widely mocked in the U.S. media.
At least she has the satisfaction of knowing that she was dead on the mark on that call.
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