18 March 2003

Terror the price of split in ranks, experts say

The following article is excerpted from the 18 March 2003 on-line edition of “globeandmail.com”.

Some of the domestic security implications of the impending war in Iraq became clear yesterday as Ontario Public Security Minister Bob Runciman outlined a contingency plan to reduce the impact of a U.S. border clampdown that would no doubt follow the outbreak of war.

Canada's decision to break ranks with the United States over the war means that it will find itself cut off from the world's most powerful intelligence-gathering networks, increasing the risk that this country could be used as a staging ground for terrorism, security experts say….

Late yesterday, after U.S. President George W. Bush gave Saddam Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq to avoid war, the United States increased its terrorism alert to the second-highest level as authorities warned of "multiple attacks" nationally and abroad if war breaks out.

The first effects of this change in Canada will likely be felt at the border. To cope with the inevitable slowdowns that will come with war, Mr. Runciman announced that emergency police centres and prescreening stations will be set up at border checkpoints. He also set out a traffic-management plan designed to minimize delays….

Randall McCauley, vice-president of public affairs for the Canadian Airport Safety Authority, said the travelling public probably won't notice any major changes to security at Canadian airports….

Security experts said yesterday that Ottawa's refusal to back Mr. Bush's war plans will have a far-reaching impact on the Canadian intelligence community.

"There is going to be a tremendous cost to this," said Reid Morden, former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. "That's just the way it is."…

With war against Iraq looming, Prof. Wark believes the deteriorating relationship between the Canadian and U.S. intelligence communities sharply increases the chance that Canada will be used as a base for terrorists.

"The intelligence community is like any other," Mr. Morden said. "It depends on people talking to people, and Canada is no longer seen as being a true partner to the U.S."