Powell said he believed post-war reconstruction in Iraq presented a new opportunity for cooperation although he acknowledged that Washington had been angered by Ottawa's tough stance against the conflict and refusal to participate in the US-led coalition.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretian joined other countries in refusing to support the war without UN approval and US President George W. Bush has postponed a planned May 5 visit to Canada.

"Obviously, we were disappointed in the initial Canadian response to the conflict," Powell told reporters at the State Department's Foreign Press Center in Washington.

"But I'm confident that now that we are in the reconstruction and humanitarian phase, Canada is in the unique position to provide assistance, financial or other forms of assistance," Powell said.

"Canada and the United States are, frankly, inseparable," he said. "The differences will come along, disagreements will come along but our two nations are bound strongly by common values, by common history and a common lineage."

"We will get over whatever disappointments that have existed in recent weeks," Powell added.

He downplayed suggestions that Bush's decision to postpone the visit to Canada was a sign of Washington's irritation with Ottawa about Iraq, but did not outright deny a link.

"We had to cancel this date," Powell said. "We haven't canceled the visit. It's been put off. I hope it'll be rescheduled in the early fall period."

Last month, US ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci criticized Ottawa for not fully supporting the United States as well as allowing anti-US comments from within the Chretien government.

Recently, antiwar Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish called Americans "bastards" and Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal said Bush had failed as a statesman.

In November, a Chretien spokeswoman had to resign after calling Bush a "moron."

SPACE.WIRE