Canada's PM says Bush is not 'a moron'

Canada's prime minister Jean Chretien has told his country's media that George W Bush is not "a moron".

He was forced to make the statement after his chief spokeswoman called Mr Bush a moron for trying to make a possible war with Iraq the top of Nato's agenda.

The comment caused a diplomatic row between the countries and led to two days of apologies.

The spokeswoman, Francoise Ducros, offered to resign, but Mr Chretien is keeping her on.

According to the New York Daily News,

Mr Chretien said: "He is a friend of mine. He isn't a moron at all."