Paul Martin has only a "small margin of error" to strike the right balance between welcoming George Bush to Canada and appearing to be too "chummy," says former deputy prime minister John Manley.

Manley told CTV's Question Period that Canada's relationship with the United States has always been a "difficult dance" and that we must show we can work together during the Bush visit.

But, he said, the Prime Minister will be walking a fine line, rolling out the welcome mat, but keeping a healthy political distance.

"I don't know if Paul is a singer or not," said Manley, "but I don't think you're going to be seeing him sing When Irish Eyes Are Smiling with George Bush."

Manley was referring to former prime minister Brian Mulroney's appearance on stage at the 1985 Quebec City "Shamrock Summit" with then President Ronald Reagan. The two were joined by their wives in singing the traditional song.

And, while some observers at the time hailed the performance as an unmistakable sign of a close friendship between the men and their nations, others called it too close.

Manley, who is also held the finance and foreign affairs portfolios, dropped out the race to become Liberal Party leader last year. Martin was the eventual winner.

Now, on the eve of this U.S. presidential visit, Manley says the goal for Canada is not to make friends so much as it is to act businesslike and "show respect for the office of the President of the United States."

"You have to recognize the importance of the United States to Canada," Manley said.

'Most important trading partner'

"It's not only our most important neighbor, it's our only neighbor. It's by, a huge margin, our most important trading partner."

Manley, who will be among the 720 people having dinner with Bush in the capital, said "certainly we had some issues" during George Bush's first term in office, when Jean Chretien was PM.

One of the biggest sticking points between Canada-U.S. relations, he said, was "the war in Iraq and Canada's decision not to be part of it."

Manley also called for Canadians to show respect for Bush, whether or not he was their preferred choice to win this month's Presidential election south of the border.

"The Americans have chosen him," Manley said flatly, "and we do believe in democracy."

Still, Manley allowed that Martin will have to watch his step on how the Bush visit plays out.

"It's not good politics in Canada to be seen to be too close, too chummy, with the United States," he said.

"On the other hand it's a very important relationship for us, both in commercial and economic terms, but also in terms of shared values and shared objectives in the world."

When asked about Bush's planned visit to Halifax, to thank the people of Atlantic Canada for their help for stranded U.S. airline passengers after 9/11, Manley had mixed feelings.

"I think it would have been nice if the thanks had come sooner, if the President's speech in September 2001, when he mentioned a variety of countries who had helped," he said.

"It would have been nice. It didn't happen. It's happening now."

As to what the reaction should be, three years later, Manley said good manners and a courtesy should prevail.

"I think we should say 'You're welcome,' and we would do it again in an instant -- because we would."