PM APOLOGIZES TO FAMILIES OF SLAIN RCMP OFFICERS

Martin Had Claimed 'Long Discussions' With Group At Memorial

Prime Minister Paul Martin apologized yesterday to the families of four
RCMP officers slain in Alberta last March for earlier suggesting he had
held "long discussions" with them during a memorial service shortly after
the killings.

The apology, disclosed by a spokesman for the families, followed
allegations from Conservative leader Stephen Harper that Mr. Martin had
misled the Commons by exaggerating his conversations with relatives.

But -- as the grief of the four families became caught up in a political
battle over federal policy on drugs and crime -- the spokesman for the
families contradicted Mr. Harper's claim that Mr. Martin also deliberately
snubbed an invitation to meet the families at a reception Monday on
Parliament Hill.

Don Schiemann, whose son was among the officers killed by a violent loner
near Mayerthorpe, Alta., said the families did not expect Mr. Martin to
attend the reception for all MPs on Monday because they knew he would be
too busy with the opening of Parliament and preparations for the
installation of Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

A press aide to Mr. Martin said the prime minister was extending an
invitation to meet with the families again, after they had turned down an
offer of a government flight earlier this summer to meet with him in the
capital.

Press secretary Melanie Gruer also denied a claim from Alberta Tory MP Rona
Ambrose that Ms. Ambrose had personally delivered an invitation to the
reception to the Prime Minister's Office. Ms. Gruer said Ms. Ambrose came
to the office Monday, but on another matter.

The row was sparked by Mr. Martin's response to a question from Mr. Harper
on Monday, the first day of a parliamentary session Mr. Martin earlier said
he hoped would lack the sniping and bitterness of last spring's sittings.

During the exchange, Mr. Harper pressed the prime minister about changes
the families were seeking to the criminal justice system, including their
demand for mandatory minimum sentences for anyone convicted of growing
marijuana on large grow-operations for trafficking.

Mr. Martin noted he had met the families at the Edmonton memorial service
that took place seven days after James Roszko shot the four officers to
death at his isolated yard near Mayerthorpe. Police found 283 marijuana
plants in Mr. Roszko's shed.

"I met the families and had long discussions with them," said Mr. Martin.
"I can assure the families and I can assure the honourable member that the
government takes the issues that he has raised very seriously and that the
government does intend, as has already been indicated, to act within this
area."

Ms. Ambrose later told reporters the families, sitting in the Commons
galleries as Mr. Martin spoke, were shocked by his statement.

"When I went up to fetch them from the gallery, they were very, very
emotionally upset and said that that, in fact, had never taken place, he
has never had long discussions with them," said Ms. Ambrose.