DATE=MARCH 14, 2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287582

TITLE=BUSH CANADA (L ONLY)

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says the United States and Canada are working together to ease a trade dispute over imports of softwood lumber. VOA's Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Bush met with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien at the White House Thursday where they also discussed the fight against terrorism.

TEXT: President Bush says U-S and Canadian trade negotiators are working "overtime" to achieve an agreement on Canadian softwood lumber exports by a U-S set deadline of March 21st. Speaking in the Rose Garden following a meeting with Prime Minister Chretien, Mr. Bush said they have agreed to keep working hard to achieve an agreement that is satisfactory to both parties.

The president says he believes negotiators can achieve an agreement on what he calls a "rough spot" in their bilateral relations -- U-S objections to Canadian subsidies for softwood lumber that undercut U-S suppliers.

Mr. Bush thanked the Prime Minister for what he calls Canada's "steadfast" support in the war against terrorism including Canadian troops on the ground in Afghanistan. He says they discussed increasing security along their more than six-thousand-kilometer long border, saying new agreements on border cooperation between the countries will be a model for the world.

While none of the September 11th terrorists entered the United States through Canada, both leaders have been working to improve security without disrupting the more than 400-billion-dollars worth of trade that flows between the countries each year.

They are increasing the number of joint enforcement and surveillance teams. Canadian and U-S officials are working to better coordinate local, provincial, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police now have access to a computer database of fingerprints run by the F-B-I..

The countries are sharing more visa information and reviewing the papers of incoming passengers in hopes of earlier identifying those who should be more closely examined. They are also increasing the number of immigration control officers based overseas to better detect people ineligible for entry before they reach the United States or Canada.(SIGNED)

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