U.S. DRUG CZAR WON'T TESTIFY ABOUT MARIJUANA LAW REFORM

White House drug czar John Walters, who accused Canada of "reefer madness"
for moving to decriminalize marijuana possession, has rejected an
invitation to appear before MPs to put his grievances on the record.

Several other Americans also turned down invitations to testify at a
Commons committee this week as it concludes public hearings on the
decriminalization bill.

Mr. Walters, the White House's director of national drug policy, has been
vocal in his opposition to Canada's proposed law, saying most recently that
Canada is "the one place in the hemisphere where things are going wrong
rapidly."

After more than a week of haggling, the committee decided late last week to
invite him to appear so he could share the U.S. concerns about the law.

Tom Riley, Mr. Walter's public affairs spokesman, said his boss has been
clear about what he thinks of Canada's proposed law so he sees no need to
come north once again to repeat his position.

"I think Director Walters has always been very consistent and clear about
this," said Mr. Riley. "He's gone up there a number of times, he's been on
TV, he's met with Canadian officials here to emphasize that this is a
serious concern for the U.S. But obviously Canadians have to decide for
themselves what kind of future on the drug issue they want."

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon is aiming for the bill to pass in
Parliament before the end of the month, said his spokesman, Mike Murphy.

But it is widely expected Parliament will not return after it recesses at
the end of the week for the Liberal leadership convention.