Bush to Tighten Ties With Mexico, Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, left, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, center, and President Bush, right, talk in Heiligendamm, Germany, on June 8, 2007, in this file photo. Bush will interrupt his Texas vacation this year and travel to Canada next week to bolster ties with Harper and Calderon. (AP Photo/CP, Fred Chartrand, files) (Fred Chartrand - AP)

The meeting comes as the U.S. government is poised to offer a major aid plan to Mexico to fight drug trafficking and violence. Bush may announce part or all the proposal during the summit if the details are completed in time. The effort is expected to help pay for equipment and training.

Calderon has cracked down on drug traffickers and sent soldiers into violence-plagued areas since he won election last year. The effort has earned praise from Bush. Still, many people in Mexico are wary of U.S. intervention, fearing it could threaten their sovereignty. That is a common worry in cross-border efforts.

"I think (Calderon) understands that he can't _ and he shouldn't have to _ take these guys on all by himself," said Noriega, now a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. "And I think President Bush realizes that whether Calderon succeeds or fails will have a dramatic effect on our security."

The White House is framing expectations in the broadest of language.

Bush spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the president's goal is to make "the continent safer and more prosperous."

Protests are expected, although the resort will be under tight security and access is limited.

This is the third summit of the countries' leaders during the Bush administration. The effort emerged in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks as the U.S., Canada and Mexico sought to figure out how to tighten border security without hampering trade and tourism.

The first meeting, in Texas, launched a partnership in which the countries have tried to harmonize their security and economic programs.

Bush arrives Monday afternoon in Montebello, which is between Ottawa and Montreal.

He will have a private meeting with Harper at Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, the summit site. They are expected to talk economic matters, global warming, conflicts in the Middle East and the war in Afghanistan, where Canada has committed troops.

Bush then meets separately with Calderon. Border security and the fair treatment of immigrations are probable topics.

The three leaders plan to have dinner together Monday night.

On Tuesday, the meetings continue, followed by a news conference. Bush then heads to a Republican fundraiser in Minnesota and an overnight stay in Kansas City, Mo., where he will give a speech on Wednesday. He will return later that day to his ranch in Crawford, Texas, and resume his vacation.

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On the Net:

State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs: http://www.state.gov/p/wha