Rice delays Canada visit after its missile decision

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has put off plans to visit Canada after its decision not to take part in the US missile defence system, a US official said on Tuesday.

The official, who did not wish to be named, said there were other factors in the decision but did not identify these.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, speaking through an aide, confirmed Rice had delayed plans for a visit but cited scheduling conflicts and said she hoped to go soon.

"We were in fact looking (at) a date, but the schedules didn't work out," an aide to Boucher quoted him as saying. "We look forward to seeing the Canadians soon and are looking for a date when we can make that happen."

Canada's minority Liberal government, in a snub to US President George W Bush, said on Thursday it would not take part in the missile defence system, which is unpopular with many Canadian voters.

The system is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles from adversaries such as North Korea.

Canada's decision marked an abrupt change in policy by Prime Minister Paul Martin, who came to power in December 2003 saying he backed the idea of signing up to the missile system and deepening the integration of the two nations' defences.

The decision marks the second time in recent years the Liberals have rejected US military plans, following Ottawa's refusal in March 2003 to take part in the US-led war on Iraq.

- REUTERS