">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Obama in Canada on first foreign visit as president
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
Obama in Canada on first foreign visit as president
AFP - Friday, February 20
OTTAWA (AFP) - - Canada's snowy capital welcomed Barack Obama on Thursday in his first official trip abroad, during which the US president is to broach issues of trade, energy, the environment and war in Afghanistan.
ADVERTISEMENT
His six-hour visit, however, is likely to disappoint scores of Canadians who made a pilgrimage to this city hoping to catch a glimpse of the superstar statesman as he darts to Parliament for talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper under heavy security, and then home.
Obama's trip has animated Canadians, glad that he has chosen this country as his first stop to try to woo back allies who felt ignored by the previous US administration of George W. Bush.
While thousands had shown up to protest Bush's visit to Ottawa in 2004, equal numbers were expected on Thursday to welcome Obama with wide eyes and warm hearts.
The fact that he will be mostly hidden by security screens as he steps out of his motorcade and into Parliament for closed meetings with Harper and other officials has not deterred his admirers.
Much of downtown Ottawa was blocked off, but a crowd was admitted to the snow-covered lawn in front of Parliament, where Obama will spend the day.
Dozens arrived in the wee hours of the morning and by dawn, the Obama welcoming party reached hundreds of souls.
"We came because we want to be part of history and we want to see Obama," said Sandra Skrypczinski of Toronto, who arrived here at 4:30 a.m. (0930 GMT) with her daughter to get a prime space.
Obama was met at the airport by Governor General Michaelle Jean, a Haitian immigrant who became Canada's first black governor general, representing Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Canada.
After a short talk with Jean, Obama was to travel to Parliament for meetings and a working lunch with Harper and key officials, followed by a press conference.
He is then scheduled to meet with Canada's opposition leader Michael Ignatieff at the Ottawa airport before flying home.
The US president's visit comes days after Obama signed into law a massive 787-billion-dollar stimulus package that aims to drag the United States out of the worst economic crisis in decades.
The stimulus package is important for Canada, itself in recession, because of its trade reliance on the United States, with 86 percent of Canadian exports sent to its southern neighbor.
The two nations are the world's largest trading partners, with 1.9 billion Canadian dollars (1.6 billion US) worth of goods and services crossing their shared 9,000-kilometer (5,600-mile) border daily.
Talks between Obama and Harper "will focus on restoring economic growth and creating jobs," Harper spokesman Kory Teneycke said. It will be a "working visit" with little pageantry, he said, because with the world in recession "the economic stakes are very high."
Climate change and energy security, Canadian and US cooperation in restoring security and prosperity to Afghanistan are also on the agenda.
No major announcements are expected on this trip, but according to Canadian reports, the two countries are likely to form working groups on each major issue.
Several environmentalists on Wednesday called on Obama to denounce Canada's oil sands -- a major supplier of oil to the United States -- as a major source of pollution and greenhouse gases.
However, in an interview with public broadcaster CBC, Obama touted the development of clean energy technologies to reduce pollution, rather than cutting off dirty energy sources.
On Afghanistan, Obama said he would not ask Harper to extend Canada's deployment of 2,750 troops to fight insurgents as part of a NATO-led mission, but hoped Canadians will support his sweeping plan to restore the war-torn nation.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Enlarge Photo
US President Barack Obama (L) speaks with Canada Governor General Michaelle Jean at Ottawa International Airport on February 19, 2009. Canada's snowy capital welcomed Barack Obama on Thursday in his first official trip abroad, during which he is to broach issues of trade, energy, the environment and war in Afghanistan.
Related Photos
Slideshow US elections 2008
Most Popular – Top Stories
Viewed
Malaria: Spoonful of sugar could save thousands of children
Seductive chemicals hidden in sloppy kisses
UBS admits tax fraud after US charges
Iraqi shoe-thrower defiant as trial adjourned
Huge gamma-ray blast spotted in space
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 20 February 2009 Iran slows atom plant growth but fuel stockpile jumps
| International
|
NATO allies offer limp response to U.S. Afghan call
| International
|
U.S. Navy, NATO toughen action against pirates
| International
|
Mugabe says court should resolve MDC Bennett's case
| International
|
IAEA finds graphite, more uranium at Syria site
| International
|
Scientists make advances on nano electronics
| Technology
|
Look beyond jobs for U.S. broadband payoff: experts
| Technology
|
Some GOP Governors Criticize Stimulus, Will Still Accept Money
Suspected Ku Klux Klan Leader Indicted On 2nd Degree Murder Charges In Shooting Death Of Female Klan-Wannabe During Initiation
Class action status denied in Microsoft Vista case
| Technology
|
Report: Feds Subpoena Blagojevich's Wife
Update: Obama Arrives In Ottawa In First Foreign Trip
Victim's Family, Friends Fight To Keep Killer In Prison In Florida
Survey Finds Recession Causing Hospitals To Lay Off Staff
Maldonado Agrees To Be Third GOP Vote On California Budget
Huge Q4 Loss Opens Playboy Enterprises' Mind To Sale, Reorganization
Total Jobless Claims Nears 5 Million-Mark; First-Time Claims Unchanged
Severe Southeast Storms Leave 1 Dead, 7 Injured
Just a Minute With: Oscar nominee Kate Winslet
| Entertainment
|
When it comes to Oscars, advertisers skip spotlight
| Entertainment
|
Duffy sweeps BRIT pop awards, Coldplay out in cold
| Entertainment
|
Coldplay and Bono team up with Take That for charity gig
| Entertainment
|
Obama, creativity star as Rio Carnival defies crisis
| Entertainment
|
Suspected Ku Klux Klan Leader Indicted On 2nd Degree Murder Charges In Shooting Death Of Female Klan-Wannabe During Initiation
William Shatner Says He Wants To Be Prime Minister Of Canada
Huge Q4 Loss Opens Playboy Enterprises' Mind To Sale, Reorganization
Price Of Gold Soars To $977.7 An Ounce
Kyrgyz president signs law closing US base
Kyrgyzstan shuts U.S. base
| International
|
Lieberman endorses Netanyahu for Israeli premier
Iran slows atom plant growth but fuel stockpile rises
| International
|
Actor Playing "Friday The 13th" Murderer Jason Voorhees Attacked During Party
Iran says has own raw uranium supply
British clinical trial yields success with nut allergies
U.S. tells North Korea to end insults, return to talks
| International
|
Germany's ex-chancellor urges direct Iran-US talks
Russia urged to find journalist's killers
U.N. launches talks to expand Security Council
| International
|
Huge gamma-ray blast spotted in space
U.S. lawmakers make rare visit to Gaza
U.S. envoy calls Pakistan's Zardari over Swat deal
| International
|
Clinton in SKorea, focused on NKorea's nukes
Netanyahu wins backing in Israeli PM contest
Women's ski-jumping stake claim for Olympics berth
Mexico's shrinking families could cut flow to U.S.
| International
|
Iraqi provincial election results
UBS admits tax fraud after US charges
Latin American drug gangs use GPS to outwit police
| International
|
US-backed Sunni group takes Anbar vote
Malaria: Spoonful of sugar could save thousands of children
Obama, creativity star as Rio Carnival defies crisis
| International
|
Debate flares over Obama housing plan
2,500 languages threatened with extinction: UNESCO
Obama in Canada on first foreign visit as president
Careful Obama soothes Canada on first foray abroad
Scientists make advances on nano electronics
| Technology
|
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,245
U.S. asks Poland for more time on missile defence
Clinton To North Korea: Stop Threatening Seoul
Vizio passes Sony in flat panel TVs
| Technology
|
BP Settles Pollution Case With Texas For $180 Million
US Sen. Kerry goes to Gaza Strip, avoids Hamas
Disney buys kids Web site Kerpoof
| Technology
|
Boy, 9, Pleads Guilty To Homicide In Shooting Dead Of Dad, Man
Gates: New US administration still mulling shield
Group, Blind Sue Law School Admissions Body For Inaccessible Web Site
NASA readies mission to find Earth-like planets
Feb 19 Highlights Of Low Points Of U.S. Economy
Disney buys kids Web site Kerpoof
Obama in Canada to address fears of protectionism
FDA Links 3 Brain Infection Deaths To Skin-Clearing Drug
Vizio passes Sony in flat panel TVs
SEC Names Khuzami As New Director Of Enforcement
Kyrgyz parliament votes to close US base
Iraqi Journalist Says He Threw Shoes At Bush To Retaliate For Humiliation
Scientists map CO2 emissions with Google Earth
Wall Street Closes Lower As Dow Hits Fresh Multi-Year Low
eBay renames 'yellow star' after 'Nazi' complaint
Guadeloupe talks on as Sarkozy aims to quell unrest
Ottawa Welcomes Obama
adds video and pictures to search advertising
Irish FM discusses human rights with Cuba
Scientists make advances on "nano" electronics
Russia acquits all accused in Politkovskaya trial
Recording industry website hacked over Pirate Bay trial: report
Anger in Britain as radical cleric wins payout
Sprint Nextel posts 1.6 bln dlr quarterly loss
Chinese auto maker plans to take on giants with electric cars
Vizio passes Sony in flat panel TVs
Recession takes a toll on U.S. festivals
| Entertainment
|
Networks' comedy pilots reflect recessionary times
| Entertainment
|
When it comes to Oscars, advertisers skip spotlight
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lanka troops capture Tiger diving gear: military
Turbulence on Japan-bound flight injures 30
U.N. looks into charge over Clooney guard in Chad
| Entertainment
|
30 injured as US-bound flight hits turbulence: officials
Idols grieving Danny Gokey hopes to lighten up
| Entertainment
|
Kim names top officer his deputy at powerful body
Stroke Risk Linked To Number Of Fast Food Restaurants In A Given Area
Thai PM visits Indonesia to discuss migrants
Bomb kills 6 at Shiite funeral in Pakistan
Heavy snow eases drought in north China
Hollywood producers give new offer to actors guild
Clinton tells NKorea to stop provocations
States woo Hollywood with tax breaks
China quake-damaged reservoirs fixed by end-2010: official
UN looks into charge over Clooney guard in Chad
Japan's navy holds anti-piracy exercise
Foreign firms shed jobs in China: state media
S.Korean won sinks to 3-month closing low
TMZ posts photo it claims is a beaten Rihanna
Prudential Plc to exit Taiwan insurance mkt-sources
Economic gloom clouds London Fashion Week
Philippine 2009 remittances to contract 8 pct: RBS
US drivers continue 14-month trend by driving less
Japan turns to 'work-sharing' to avoid layoffs
Potatoes, corn, broccoli: America's favorite veggies
SKorean bankers dismiss fears of credit crisis
Sri Lanka youth turned off by Oscar-nominated rapper's war views
Weak Taiwan dollar not panacea for economic ills
INXS singer says broke, homeless after fired from band
China's Chery Automobile launches own hybrid car
"Star Trek": Enterprise marketing
Seoul shares at 2-mth low on shipbuilders, banks
Clinton in SKorea, focused on NKorea's nukes
Veteran Oscar scribe Bruce Vilanch spills secrets
NZ benchmark stock falls to near five year low
Clinton focuses on NKorea's nuclear drive
Website unites bands and film talent for low-budget music videos
China concerned after Russia fires on ship
"Idol"s grieving Danny Gokey hopes to lighten up
Fear Pill Seen As Cure For Emotional Disorder
Boy, 9, Pleads Guilty To Homicide In Shooting Dead Of Dad, Man
Group, Blind Sue Law School Admissions Body For Inaccessible Web Site
Iraqi Journalist Says He Threw Shoes At Bush To Retaliate For Humiliation
Netanyahu picked to form Israel govt
Netanyahu asked to form Israel's next government
| International
|
Netanyahu picked to form Israel govt
Dolly Parton Will Not Be Featured In "Hannah Montana" Movie
Kyrgyzstan hands U.S. air base eviction notice
| International
|
Netanyahu to form Israeli government
First Picture Of Badly-Bruised Rihanna After Chris Brown Beating Released
Eurozone in 'dire, breakneck' descent
U.N. seeks contact with American's captors in Pakistan
| International
|
Circulating Oscar Awards Winners List A "Complete Fraud"
President leads mourning for Sudanese author Salih
Saab to restructure to avoid bankruptcy
Five die in Ukrainian cargo plane blaze in Egypt
Suicide bomber kills 27, wounds 65 at Pakistan funeral
| International
|
Stanford, the man who hit cricket for six
Jewish-Arab duo faces criticism ahead of songfest
Tajikistan allows NATO cargo transit to Afghanistan
| International
|
UBS plunges 10 pct amid widening US tax fraud probe
French construction group to raise new capital, cut jobs
AP Interview: Reid pushing for climate change bill
National Guard goes green to conserve energy, cost
Alleged fraudster Stanford found
Social networks are telcos' new best friend
| Technology
|
Kerry, on Mideast trip, handed Hamas letter for Obama
US-TECH Summary
Social networks are telcos' new best friend
Kyrgyz president signs law closing US base
Massachusetts To Increase Gas Tax By 19 Cents
Lobbyist Drops $27 Million Lawsuit Against New York Times Over McCain Story
Los Angeles Watchdog Bares Loose Hiring Practices For Sheriff Department
UBS American Depositors Rush To IRS Hoping For Leniency
Charities Also Filing For Bankruptcy
First Lady Continues Federal Tour With Visit At Agriculture Dept.
Controversy Surrounding Burris Deepens With Ethics Probe, Revelations Of Former Blagojevich Aide
Nearly Intact Columbian Mammoth Skeleton Found At CA Construction Site
President, Nation's Mayors To Discuss Stimulus At White House Friday
Missouri's Roy Blunt Launches 2010 Senate Bid
British reality TV star is dying in the spotlight
| Entertainment
|
Waltz looks to dance away with foreign film Oscar
| Entertainment
|
Slumdog is no cliche, says Indian author
| Entertainment
|
Kyrgyzstan issues eviction notice to key US base
Novel describes innocent boy's Guantanamo ordeal
| Entertainment
|
Attackers behead 2 soldiers in southern Thailand
China slams Russian attitude to sunken ship: report
Just a Minute With: Oscar nominee Kate Winslet
| Entertainment
|
Growing HIV rates among gay, bisexual men in Asia
Suicide blast kills 30 at Shiite funeral in Pakistan
'Regional' solution for Myanmar migrants: Thai PM
Report: Prudential to acquire failed Japan insurer
China pushes Russia to investigate ship incident
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee flat
Grenade explosion injures 15 in Bangladesh
South Korean won falls to near 11-year low
Heath Ledger's family celebrates his Oscar nod
'Algae-eating fish' used to clean up Chinese lake
Survey: China still key factory base amid slump
Grenade explosion injures dozens in Bangladesh
Japan's Kirin buys 43 pct of San Miguel's brewer
Shares up in China, elsewhere, but will it last?
Japanese stocks tumble as Topix hits 25-year low
Report: China still key factory base amid downturn
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Taiwan lowers rates for T$ reserve requirements
"Slumdog" is no cliche, says Indian author
Placido Domingo wins $1M Nilsson Prize for opera
I'm with the band! Oscars stage design revealed
'Slumdog' kids ready for the Oscars
Japan marijuana offences hit new high: police
Heath Ledger's family celebrates his Oscar nod
Networks' comedy pilots reflect recessionary times
Recession takes a toll on U.S. festivals
Charities Also Filing For Bankruptcy
Workers Find Mammoth Skeleton, Other Fossils, Digging For Underground LA Parking Garage
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights