By SCOTT SUTHERLAND
VICTORIA (CP) - The U.S.-Canada boundary -often called the world's longest undefended border -may no longer be so undefended.
The U.S. is stepping up surveillance along the border, in the air and on the water, starting with a high-tech unit than begins operations in Bellingham, just across the border from the Vancouver area. "It is the first of five such border units that will be established from Bellingham over to Plattsburg, New York," said Gary Bracken, communications director for the Office of Air and Marine Operations.
The New York unit will be set up later this year and units in Montana, North Dakota and Michigan will be established in coming years.
The move is part of the U.S. response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
But Braken doubted whether establishing a presence along the boundary with Canada would jeopardize the long-standing boast about the undefended border.
"I don't really see this will change that," he said, adding that it only strengthens the relationship with Canadian authorities and counterparts in other agencies of the United States government.
"We're just bringing air and marine capabilities to the border that have proven to be very successful along our southern border and in the Caribbean basin. These capabilities are not aimed at changing the relationship with the Canadian government or its people."
Solicitor General Rich Coleman could not be reached for comment about how the beefed-up security might impact British Columbia.
Air and Marine Operations, a branch of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, operates 10 similar bases along the U.S.-Mexico border and has provided airspace security for events throughout the U.S., including Super Bowls 2003 and 2004 and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
The new Bellingham unit will eventually be staffed by 69 U.S. federal law enforcement officers with jurisdiction across all 50 states.
It will operate a fixed-wing surveillance plane, a medium-lift helicopter, a so-called light-enforcement helicopter and at least one high-speed enforcement boat.
This is in addition to the security provided by the FBI, Secret Service, the U.S. coast guard and border patrol and state and local agencies.
Braken acknowledged that thwarting the smuggling of marijuana -so-called "B.C. bud" -is a prime consideration for establishing the first unit in the Pacific Northwest.
But he said there are also other fears and possible threats.
"Along the (Canadian) border we are also faced with the smuggling of migrants, weapons, currency in both directions, as well as the possibility of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction crossing the border using traditional smuggling routes."
The Americans say there has been legitimate cause for concern, pointing to the case of Ahmed Ressam.
Ressam was arrested in Port Angeles, Wash. driving off a ferry from Victoria, B.C. in 1999 in a car packed with explosives.
Ressam, who was eventually linked to al-Qaida, was plotting to bomb the Los Angeles airport.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/08/18/589675-cp.html
I was wondering if Shukrijumah might come in from Canada rather than Mexico. I know certain communities, such as Halifax, have very dense population of Muslims. It seems as though we are expecting him to come in from the south. It sounds like an entry from the north would not be overly difficult (especially during the summer).