BEIJING, Mar. 2 -- President George W. Bush will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin despite Ottawa's refusal to join a US ballistic missile defense system.

    White House spokesman Scott McClellan says that Canada has informed the US of its decision to stay out of the missile program. But the US is going to continue to pursue cooperation with the neighboring country.

    He did not disclose detailed information of the talks between the two sides.

    Earlier, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew, discussing the missile defense shield.

    The US always urges Canada to join the defense system and warms that relations between the two countries will be affected if Canada declines.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)