Prince William, Kate undeterred by Quebec protests (AP)

QUEBEC CITY – Prince William and Kate thrilled hundreds of adoring fans with an unscheduled walkabout in a city that was the site of the key British victory in the conquest of the French — a historical event not forgotten by French-speaking separatists protesting nearby.

The newlyweds were on the fourth day of a nine-day trip to Canada, part of their first official overseas trip since their April 29 wedding.

The Sunday visit hit a nerve among French-speaking separatists. Prince William and Kate had a private lunch at the Citadelle, a fortified residence where the British flag was raised at the end of the pivotal 1759 Battle of Quebec, when British forces defeated the French to seal the conquest of New France.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as they are officially known, encountered small but vocal protests for the second straight day during their visit to predominantly French-speaking Quebec, following protests in Montreal.

"What they've seen in Quebec, in Montreal the last two days is, for them, just part of the rich fabric of Canada and in no way detracts from how much they respect and admire the country," said the couple's spokesman, Miguel Head. He added that the couple have been impressed by the welcome they've received.

"They've very much fallen in love with the country," Miguel said.

The jeers contrasted with the start of the royal couple's Canadian trip in the largely English-speaking capital, Ottawa, where they were cheered by tens of thousands of people on Friday's Canada Day holiday.

Quebec separatists are angry that Canada still has ties to the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is still the country's head of state.

Police were out in force in downtown Quebec City. About 200 protesters, some wearing black and waving flags, demonstrated about two blocks from City Hall, where Prince William, a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, attended a ceremony to honor and inspect the Royal 22e Regiment, the most famous French-speaking unit in the Canadian military.

A larger crowd of several hundred supporters, chanting "Will and Kate" were allowed closer to City Hall and greeted the royal motorcade with loud cheers when it arrived.

After a military band played the first six bars of "God Save the Queen," Prince William made brief remarks entirely in French.

"You, the Quebecois et Quebecoise, have such vitality and a remarkable pride. We are simply delighted to be here," he said. "Thank you for your patience with my accent, and I hope that we will have the chance to get to know each other over the years to come. Until the next time. See you soon."

The crowd laughed when he mentioned his accent and then started cheering. Undeterred by the nearby protesters, Prince William and Kate further charmed the Quebeckers with an unexpected walkabout. The royal couple went to the barricade, chatting and shaking hands with enthusiastic supporters in the square around City Hall before leaving by motorcade.

Alexandra Powell, a 20-year-old French-Canadian, said the royal couple greeted her with "Bonjour" before she shook Kate's hand.

"I think it's a childhood dream to be a princess and meet the monarchy," said Powell. "I'm still shaking a little bit."

Police set up barriers to keep the protesters away from City Hall, but the demonstrators brought a pickup truck with audio equipment and speakers to amplify their chants. They carried signs reading "Pay your own way" and "The monarchy, it's over."

The protesters chanted "RRQ," the initials of the anti-monarchist, separatist group, Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois, or Quebecker Resistance Network, which organized the protests in Montreal and Quebec City.

"We do not recognize the authority, the legitimacy of the Crown, of the monarchy here in Quebec and it's not a national symbol for us," said Maxime Laporte of the RRQ.

"It's rather a symbol of imperialism, of war crimes against humanity, against our people."

The group claimed responsibility for a banner carrying the slogan "Vive le Quebec libre" that flew from an airplane over Quebec City for an hour.

"I came today because I think it's important to show that we don't agree that our money still pays for an old symbol," said Stephanie Rainville, 22. "I think it's to show the generations coming that the fight is not over."

The newlyweds arrived in Quebec City on Sunday morning on a Canadian navy frigate after an overnight trip from Montreal down the picturesque St. Lawrence Seaway.

Prince William and Kate sang hymns as they took part in a bilingual interfaith prayer service on the deck of the HMCS Montreal after it docked in Quebec City. They then headed ashore for a meeting with residents of La Maison Dauphine, a center that helps homeless youths.

In a nod to Quebeckers, Kate wore a dark blue lace Jacquenta dress by the designer Erdem. It was the second time during the trip that she wore a dress from the collection of the Montreal-born, London-based Erdem Moralioglu. She later wore a cream-colored Vanessa sleeveless crepe dress by Joseph at an event at Forts-de-Levis that was attended by several hundred supporters. The couple did a longer walkabout there.

The fort, built between 1865 and 1872, completed a defense network protecting Quebec from a possible U.S. land invasion.

A 2009 visit by Prince William's father, Prince Charles, to Montreal was disrupted by more than 200 separatist protesters. The protesters sat in the street, blocking the prince's way into a ceremony planned at an armory, and threw eggs at the soldiers who were accompanying him and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. The couple were forced to enter the building through a back door and missed an elaborate welcoming ceremony that had been planned.

In 1990, Canada Day celebrations were disrupted briefly by protesters from Quebec who booed and turned their back on Queen Elizabeth.

New Canadian citizens still pledge allegiance to the queen during their swearing-in ceremony.

Support for the separatists among Quebeckers has been on the decline in recent years as the 80-percent French-speaking province has enjoyed plenty of autonomy even without quitting Canada.

"As far as I'm concerned they're welcome here anytime. These young people need a chance. If their ancestors messed up, they need a chance to be forgiven," said John Harbour, 58, a French-Canadian master mariner, who was among dozens of onlookers hoping for a glimpse of the royal couple at the Quebec City waterfront.

The royal couple arrived later Sunday at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, welcomed by a piping band. The Atlantic province is famed as the home of the literary character "Anne of Green Gables." They will meet the actors who play the musical theater roles based on the 1908 book by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Prince William, a Royal Air Force rescue helicopter pilot, will pilot and land a helicopter on the water for the first time on Monday. William personally requested the training exercise to be a part of his visit to Canada.

They leave Canada for a three-day trip to California on July 8.

___

Associated Press Writer Rob Gillies in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, contributed to this story.

Prince William, Kate to face Quebec protests again (AP)

QUEBEC CITY – Prince William and Kate arrived Sunday in Quebec City after spending the night on a Canadian navy frigate as it sailed down the picturesque St. Lawrence Seaway, but once ashore they face more protests from French-speaking separatists.

The newlyweds are on the fourth day of a nine-day trip to Canada in what is their first official overseas trip since their April 29 wedding.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge encountered small but vocal protests in Montreal, the French-speaking province's biggest city, on Saturday after being cheered by tens of thousands the previous day in Canada's largely English-speaking capital of Ottawa.

Great Britain's 1759 Conquest of New France and a desire by some French to separate from Canada is still a sensitive issue in Quebec.

Prince William and Kate sang hymns as they took part in an interfaith prayer service on the deck of the HMCS Montreal before heading ashore for a meeting with residents of La Maison Dauphine, a center that helps homeless youths.

The royal couple was likely to face more protests by French-speaking separatists outside City Hall where another protest is planned for Sunday outside City Hall where Prince William is due to make remarks.

Vocal yet vastly outnumbered protesters failed to cause any disruption to the royal couple's events in Montreal on Saturday, other than aggravating some of the pair's supporters.

About 35 protesters, including members of the separatist group Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois, or Quebecker Resistance Network, stood outside Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre in Montreal chanting "A united people will never be vanquished."

The protesters were outnumbered about 10 to one by William and Kate supporters gathered outside the children's hospital where the newlyweds visited cancer patients and the hospital's neonatal care facility. "Give me one good reason why you should hate someone. They're good people," said Elyane Lafontaine, 51.

Protesters carried signs that read "Parasites go home," "War Criminals," and "Your fortune came from the blood of our ancestors."

"It's a symbol of English dominance over Quebec," said 30-year-old lawyer Antoine Pich of the couple's visit.

Dressed in black capes, the protesters were drumming and booing as the royal couple's motorcade pulled up to the hospital. William was whisked into the hospital as Kate stepped out of the car and smiled at the crowd before going in.

The demonstrations were a rare moment of criticism aimed at the young royals, who have for the most part been welcomed with open arms by Canadians eager to see the glamorous newlyweds.

After leaving the hospital, the royal couple headed to the Institut de Tourisme et D'Hotellerie du Quebec, where they were met again by a handful of protesters dominated by about 150 supporters.

Many of the detractors loudly protested with megaphones and booed as the motorcade arrived. There were vulgar chants about William's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and a few middle-finger salutes.

Once inside, Kate and William donned aprons and took part in a cooking workshop at the facility, which is a government agency that conducts training and research in the hotel, tourism and food service industries.

Wearing white cooking jackets, the pair got into the pots and pans to whip up some authentic Quebec fare. They helped make foie gras with toasted brioche, Charlevoix lamb, lobster souffle and a cheesecake-type dish with caramel and meringue. The couple also dined with Quebec Premier Jean Charest and his wife Michele.

A 2009 visit by Prince William's father, Prince Charles, to Montreal was disrupted by more than 200 separatist protesters. The protesters sat in the street, blocking the prince's way into a ceremony planned at an armory, and threw eggs at the soldiers who were accompanying him and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. The couple were forced to enter the building through a back door and missed an elaborate welcoming ceremony that had been planned.

In 1990, Canada Day celebrations were disrupted briefly by protesters from Quebec who booed and turned their back on Queen Elizabeth.

Protesters were angry that Canada still has ties to the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is still the country's figurative head of state and new Canadian citizens still pledge allegiance to the Queen during their swearing-in ceremony. Others said they were angry that taxpayer money is being used to pay for the royal tour.

However, support for the separatists among Quebeckers has been on the decline in recent years as the 80-percent French-speaking province has enjoyed plenty of autonomy even without quitting Canada.

"As far as I'm concerned they're welcome here anytime. These young people need a chance. If their ancestors messed up, they need a chance to be forgiven," said John Harbour, 58, a French-Canadian master mariner, who was among dozens of onlookers hoping for a glimpse of the royal couple at the Quebec City waterfront.

Before heading to Montreal, Prince William and Kate finished their Ottawa visit Saturday with a tree-planting ceremony at Rideau Hall, or Government House, that has become a royal family tradition and a visit to the Canadian War Museum to meet with veterans of conflicts from World War II and war brides.

The royal couple were to fly later Sunday to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They leave Canada for a three-day trip to California on July 8.

___

Associated Press Writer Rob Gillies in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, contributed to this story.

Pakistan military protests after NATO incursion wounds soldiers (Reuters)

MIRANSHAH, Pakistan/KABUL (Reuters) – NATO helicopters from Afghanistan intruded into northwest Pakistan Tuesday, wounding two soldiers, officials said, prompting a protest from the military already seething over the secret U.S. operation to kill Osama bin Laden.

The Pakistani Army said it had lodged a "strong protest" and sought a flag meeting with NATO commanders over the incursion in Pakistan's North Waziristan near the Afghan border which has been repeatedly targeted by U.S. drone aircraft as a hub of al Qaeda linked militants.

A Western military official in Kabul, however, said two NATO helicopters supporting a base in eastern Afghanistan had returned fire after being attacked from Pakistan, but declined to say whether they had crossed into Pakistani airspace.

A senior Pakistani security official said NATO has lodged its own complaint with Pakistan, accusing its forces of "unprovoked firing." Western military officials in Kabul had no immediate comment about the possible complaint.

The incident is certain to weigh on relations between the U.S. and Pakistan have been pushed almost to the breaking point after the May 2 raid on Abbottabad that killed bin Laden, with Pakistan's parliament condemning the operation as a violation of the nation's sovereignty.

It also came hours after Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani landed in Beijing for a visit that underlines Islamabad's close and productive ties with another major power.

A Western military official, who asked to remain anonymous, said NATO helicopters had fired at targets inside Pakistan, but only after they were attacked from across the border.

Pakistan's frontier has been described as a global hub for militants, and Tuesday, police said they had killed five suspected al Qaeda militants who had tried to carry out a suicide bombing at a paramilitary checkpoint in the southwestern city of Quetta.

The would-be bombers included three women and were believed to be foreigners, police said.

Quetta is believed to be a base for the Afghan Taliban leadership and if the attack had been carried out, it would have been the second targeting Pakistan's military since bin Laden was killed and the Pakistan Taliban vowed to avenge his death.

BREACH OF AIRSPACE?

A local government official said two NATO helicopters crossed into North Waziristan and remained for about 10 minutes in the area, known to be a hub for al Qaeda-linked fighters including the Haqqani network that is leading the insurgency in eastern Afghanistan.

The helicopters retreated after Pakistani border forces opened fire in the Datta Khel area about 40 km (24 miles) west of the main town of Miranshah, a security official said.

"A shell struck a mountain nearby and two of our soldiers were wounded by the rubble," the official said.

The Western military official said the helicopters came under fire first.

"Our initial reports indicate that two ISAF helicopters were in the area in support of FOB (forward operating base) Tillman, as the FOB had been receiving intermittent direct and indirect fire from across the Pakistani border," he said.

"Upon arrival the helicopter received fire from across the border but did not immediately return fire. Upon receiving fire from across the border a second time, the helicopter returned fire," he added.

The official said the NATO-led coalition had received reports two Pakistani troops had been wounded. He declined further comment, including on whether the helicopters had entered Pakistan airspace.

Pakistan has in the past reacted angrily to incursions by NATO aircraft, even though its air space is routinely breached by unmanned drone aircraft.

A previous incursion on September 30, 2010, killed two Pakistani troops and wounded four more when NATO helicopters crossed the border while pursing insurgents. Pakistan retaliated by shutting down the supply route for NATO troops in Afghanistan.

TENSE US TIES

In Pakistan this week, Senator John Kerry who is close to U.S. President Barack Obama, tried to smooth relations in the wake of the bin Laden raid, but also warned that Washington would not tolerate any of Pakistan's alleged double-dealings with militant groups.

Bin Laden's discovery in the comfortable garrison town of Abbottabad, only 50 km (30 miles) from the capital, has deeply embarrassed the military and spy agency, reviving suspicion that Pakistan knew where he was and has been playing a double game.

Pakistan has rejected that as absurd, but the United States has stepped up drone attacks against suspected militants since bin Laden's killing despite Islamabad's objections.

Several Pakistani helicopters took off from Waziristan's main town of Miranshah toward the site of Tuesday's reported incursion, a Pakistani officials said.

"After the May 2 incident, there is a high alert on the border," a security official said. "Forces have been ordered to respond quickly if there is any attempt of intrusion."

Separately, a Pakistani helicopter gunship destroyed a wireless communication installation established by militants in mountains near Miranshah town in an strike Tuesday, an intelligence official in the region said.

North Waziristan is the base of the Haqqani network blamed for the insurgency in eastern Afghanistan. U.S.-led drone aircraft have targeted the area over the past year and Washington has repeatedly urged the Pakistan military to launch a ground operation.

Many militants, including foreign fighters loyal to al Qaeda, are based in Datta Khel. It is a stronghold of fighters loyal to Hafiz Gul Bahadur and has been a frequent target of U.S. drone strikes.

Monday, unmanned U.S. drone aircraft fired missiles in Datta Khel killing 12 militants, Pakistani officials said.

An intelligence official said that one of the dead militants, an Arab, was the son of an al Qaeda operative identified as Abu Kashif. There was no way to verify the death toll. Militants often dispute official accounts of drone attacks.

(Writing by Chris Allbritton; Additional reporting by Zeeshan Haider and Kamran Haider in Islamabad and Emma Graham-Harrison in Kabul; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)