Our ties are deep and long-standing. We are dependent on each other. And no matter what the issue of the day, whether it be softwood lumber, whether it be a war in Iraq, we need to continue to work together.

Ironically, the Canadian naval vessels, aircraft and personnel in the Persian Gulf I mentioned earlier who are fighting terrorism will provide more support indirectly to this war in Iraq than most of the 46 countries that are fully supporting our efforts there.

Canada is preparing to play a major role in the continued stability and security of Afghanistan through ISAF.

We need to defeat al Queda and other terrorist organizations.

When you think about the day-to-day, positive impact on the lives of U.S. citizens, there is no relationship that we have in the world that is more important than our relationship with Canada.

This war in Iraq is part of a larger effort to remove this terrorist threat from the planet.

Yet there is disappointment in Washington and in the United States that Canada is not supporting us fully.