Canadian PM Paul Martin will deliver a firm No to the country's participa-tion in US missile defense plans.

BEIJING, Feb. 24 -- Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin will deliver a firm No to the country's participation in U.S. missile defense plans.

    The decision, which has been confirmed by federal officials, will end a streak of confusion during which Martin refused to state Canada's position on the matter.

    Earlier, the next Canadian ambassador to the U.S, Frank McKenna, indicated that he favours Canada's participation in the controversial continental missile defense system.

    American officials warn that it will not be easy to repair US-Canadian ties, strained by the Iraq War, if Canada refuses to join the missile plan.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)