Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien's office offered three dates next fall for an Ottawa trip by Bush after the postponement of his scheduled May 5 visit and all three dates were rejected, according to unnamed sources quoted by The Globe and Mail.

A spokesman in Chretien's office, Steven Hogue, told AFP that "Both governments are working to find a suitable date for both of us and (are) working on a fall scenario."

"We're not going to get into those details. I don't think it's important," Hogue said of the three dates offered and then reportedly rejected. He added, however, that "obviously there are dates that will not be possible for them."

Canada joined other countries in refusing to support the war without UN approval.

It received a severe rebuke from US Ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci last month for not fully supporting its closest neighbor and ally as well as not reprimanding anti-US remarks from within Chretien's government.

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States was disappointed with Canada, but remained hopeful that ties would remain strong.

"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."

Sources, quoted by the newspaper, believe the Bush administration will likely wait until Chretien's successor steps into the office before making a trip to Ottawa.

Chretien, 69, is scheduled to leave office in February 2004.

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