After a weekly cabinet meeting -- which was dominated by discussions on the US national missile defence (NMD) programme, Chretien faced a barrage of questions on the matter in parliament.

Asked by Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark what decision Canada would be making next week when NMD cabinet talks continue, the prime minister said a decision would be made on whether "to talk to the Americans" about joining NMD.

"We have not started any discussion with the Americans, but I am happy that we are having a discussion in the House (of Commons)," Chretien said.

Ironically, US Ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci told reporters earlier that one of his first tasks, when he came to Ottawa two years ago, was to participate in a meeting between senior Canadian and US officials on the planned development of NMD.

"We are talking about the security of Canada and of the United States," said Cellucci, making it clear he hoped Canada would sign on.

Earlier Tuesday, Chretien said the cabinet would be returning to the matter on Tuesday because "it's not the kind of resolution that can be taken in one cabinet meeting."

In the House of Commons, Chretien rejected opposition claims that the proposed new US missile defence programme was like the space-based defence programme -- dubbed "Star Wars" -- proposed by former US president Ronald Reagan.

"It is a different concept from the Star Wars of President Reagan," said Chretien, "and it is why we are looking at a position for Canada when the time comes for us to look into that."

Urged by opposition leader Stephen Harper, of the right-wing Canadian Alliance, to take a decision quickly because it was "in Canada's national interest," Chretien said: "We have been debating this matter for a long time."

The prime minister then gave the strongest hint so far that he personally favours Canada joining the new US national missile defence (NMD) programme.

"I said it is not star wars," said Chretien. "It is something different.

"It is covering the territory of (North) America. We are part of (North) America. It is against missiles.

Analysts believe there may be deep divisions within Chretien's cabinet over

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