WASHINGTON -

Canada's ambassador in Washington says U-S President Bush's increase in support for Afghanistan is "reassuring.''

Michael Wilson also says the United States is well aware of the lives Canada has sacrificed there.

Wilson insists there was no slight in Bush's failure to mention Canada's military role in a major speech Thursday outlining more aid and the continued commitment of 27-thousand American soldiers in Afghanistan.

He says there are 38 countries in the NATO alliance and Bush was identifying some of the reluctant supporters of the Afghanistan mission who have recently increased their support.

Wilson will mark a year as Canada's top envoy to the U-S next month.

He helped strike a softwood lumber deal after his arrival last March but is focused now on border issues, especially concerns that U-S passport requirements at land crossings will cause havoc.