McKenna blasts allegations terrorists enter U.S. via Canada

[McG]

Our man in Washington takes on New York Times
McKenna blasts allegations terrorists enter U.S. via Canada
CRISTIN SCHMITZ
Can West News Service
(Edmonton Journal, 27 Mar 05)
OTTAWA

Frank McKenna, Canada's new ambassador to Washington, came out swinging Saturday in a toughly worded letter to the New York Times, challenging the newspaper's allegation that terrorists are entering the U.S. from Canada.

In an editorial titled â Å“Our Terrorist-Friendly Borders,â ? published two days before Prime Minister Paul Martin met with President George W. Bush on March 23 to discuss broadening co-operation on border security, the New York Times charged that â Å“suspected terrorists have long been entering the country from Canada.â ?   The newspaper called it â Å“shocking ... how little progress has been made in securing our borders. Terrorists may well be entering the country by crossing from Mexico or Canada.â ?

In a letter to the editor on behalf of Canada, McKenna fired back: â Å“We take issue with your statement that 'suspected terrorists have long been entering the country from Canada.â ?     McKenna pointed out that in 2001, then U.S. attorney general John Ashcroft acknowledged that none of the Sept. 11 hijackers entered the U.S. through Canadaâ ”a fact recognized in the New York Times editorial. McKenna also pointed out that Canadian authorities assisted the U.S. in apprehending the â Å“millennium bomber' Ahmed Ressam in 1999.

â Å“Since then, our two countries have implemented a 'smart border action plan' as well as national security policies, including almost $10 billion in security investments and the creation of a department similar to the Department of Homeland Security, that help keep North America closed to terrorists and open for business,â ? McKenna wrote.   â Å“Earlier this month, Michael Chertoff, the new (U.S.) secretary of homeland security; visited Canada and stated that together we are 'keeping terrorists out.â ?

Concluded McKenna: â Å“In open societies, such as ours, we all know that no security arrangement can be 100-per-cent effective. But between Canada and the United States, the record is clear:   our co-operation has reduced the threat of terrorism in both our countries.â ?

 

[Kat Stevens]

Even if they are entering from Canada, it's the US border guards and customs that let them in...

I won't say CHIMO,  Kat

 

[TCBF]

Yeah, well, at least we didn't teach'em how to FLY!  ;D

Tom

 

[PJ D-Dog]

This may be off the topic or somewhat related, but I grew up on the Can/US border with Maine and New Brunswick.  The border is so porous it's not funny.

If you want to enter the US, you can get a topographical map and take an old dirt trail behind a potato field and cross into the US.  Hit route 1 to Houlton Maine then, presto, you're on I-95 southbound to all major points on the eastern seaboard.

When I was growing up, crossing the border daily was a way of life.  Now in our post 911 era, it continues to be a way of life up there, albeit with a bit more scruitny.

When I crossed the Can border last May on my visit to New Brunswick, the Canadian Customs official asked me only about how much tobacco and alcohol I had and if I had any fire arms.  He was not overly intrested in what I was doing there but asked just the same since he had not met anyone from virginia.

I continued to cross several times during my trip and at different border corssings each time.  The best one was at Centerville.  They just looked at me and said "anything over" and said no and drove into Canada.

As for terrorists entering the US from Canada, extremely easy for them to do if they know where to go.  Obviously, small town New Brunswick would know something is going on when Charlie Islam shows up in their town, the only middle eastern looking dude around, asking questions on how to get to the border.

If you drive the transcanada highway between Edmundston NB to Florenceville NB, you'll find that securing that type of border is very difficult, short of building jurasic park style fences.  If the governments really want security along the border, they need air reconnaissance and foot patrols along the border.  Tough job.

PJ D-Dog