OTTAWA -- Busloads of protesters began rolling into Canada's capital, Ottawa, before sunrise Tuesday in anticipation of U.S. President George W. Bush's first state visit.

Bush will spend one day in Ottawa for talks with Prime Minister Paul Martin, and then depart for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Wednesday to thank the city for housing stranded air travelers after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Bush chose not to address Parliament, but rather will make his remarks at a dinner Tuesday night at the Museum of Civilization.

Canadian media widely speculated that because of the short duration, only a handful of issues would be addressed. In particular, Canada wants to lift a U.S. ban on its beef, imposed in May 2003 based on a lone cow with mad cow disease. There is also a longstanding tariff dispute on softwood lumber Canada wants cleared up, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said.

Trade worth more than $1 billion per day flows between the two countries.

Meanwhile, air space over Ottawa will be closed, and Toronto police and Ontario Provincial Police will bolster security at the capital, the Ottawa Citizen reported.

Protests are planned in at least five cities coast to coast, from Halifax to Vancouver.

Copyright 2004 by United Press International