CELLUCCI SEEKS 'MORE LUCRATIVE' POST

U.S. Ambassador To Step Down In March, Hunting For Private Sector
Job

Paul Cellucci, the U.S. ambassador who criticized Canada's plans to
decriminalize marijuana and refusal to participate in the war in Iraq,
is leaving his post in March to embark on a "more lucrative" career in
the private sector.

The former Massachusetts governor is returning to his home town with
his wife after a four-year stint as the U.S.'s top bureaucrat in
Canada, embassy spokeswoman Beth Poisson has confirmed.

"He would like to go out and do something a little more lucrative,"
she said. There was no word on his replacement, who will be named by
the White House in the coming months.

Mr. Cellucci, 56, is a longtime Republican who had been rumoured to be
in line for a posting in the Bush administration or at least in government.

"I'm going to look at business opportunities, law opportunities and
there are several opportunities that have been made known to me and
I'm going to be taking a look at them," Mr. Cellucci told the Boston
Globe in a recent story.

When asked whether he would accept a political appointment from
President George W. Bush if one were on offer, he said: "Well, if the
president asked, I would have to consider it, but I have no indication
that one is forthcoming."

His four-year posting was marked by the 2001 terrorist bombings in the
U.S. and he often spoke out about the need to make the shared border
more secure while not hampering the lucrative trade between the two
countries.

Mr. Cellucci also raised hackles for criticizing Canada for being
skimpy on defence spending and expressing Washington's disappointment
when Canada decided not to support the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

In many speeches, however, he also lauded the deep friendship between
Canada and the United States.

Mr. Cellucci and his wife, Jan, are building a townhouse in his home
town of Hudson, Massachusetts, Ms. Poisson said.

The confirmation of Mr. Cellucci's departure comes after he said last
year that he intended to leave after the U.S. election, regardless of
who won.