Bush talks to Canadian leader ahead of summit

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday discussed bilateral ties and relations with Mexico ahead of a three-way summit next month, the White House said.

Bush, Harper, and Mexican President Felipe Calderon will meet in Montebello, Canada on August 20-21 in the third such summit in six years, spokesman Tony Snow told reporters.

"The meeting agenda will include security and prosperity partnership. The leaders also will have time to discuss bilateral hemispheric and global issues. It will mark the president's fourth trip to Canada," said Snow.

In the telpehone call, Bush and Harper "reviewed a range of bilateral issues, including the issues with softwood lumber and implementation of the Western Hemisphere travel initiative," said the spokesman.

"They briefly touched upon other issues related to the Western Hemisphere, including the importance of supporting President (Alvaro) Uribe of Colombia with approval of the free trade agreement with Colombia," said Snow.

Bush also thanked Harper for Canada's support in the conflict in Afghanistan, he said.