Dec 12, 2001 Issue 46 - Vol 2

Ottawa considering allowing armed U.S. customs agents in Canada


OTTAWA - The federal government says it is willing to review its long-standing opposition to U.S. Customs and Immigration officers carrying sidearms in Canada.

INDEPTH: Target Terrorism: Attack

The issue was high on the agenda at the start of a two-day meeting between Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley and U.S. Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.

Canada's new-found flexibility on sidearms comes as the two countries work to implement a new border security agreement.

Ridge arrived in Ottawa just a week after his government signed a far-reaching security deal with Canada. That agreement calls for the two countries to share technology, information and border patrols.

Ridge and Manley hope to emerge from their meetings with specific commitments to do those things, while reducing long delays at border crossings that have hurt the economies of both countries.

But joint border management comes with a few hitches, none more serious in Washignton's view, than Canada's refusal to allow U.S. and Canadian customs officers to carry sidearms in Canada. Ridge said the U.S. believes both groups must be armed to adequately protect the border.

Manley signalled that Canada is now prepared to discuss the change in policy.

Canadian officials insist the government isn't bowing to U.S. pressure. They say it's a response to the unparalleled terrorist attacks exactly three months ago.

But it's a significant bargaining chip for Canada.

Manley's goal in these meetings with Ridge is to protect Canada's access to the U.S. market. He hopes to convince the Americans to expand programs that allow pre-screened goods and passengers to use express lanes at the border, thereby by-passing normal customs procedures and delays.

Written by CBC News Online staff

This week, the Galloping Geezer brings us "Three Tinkles and a Clangor" from his past...
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The Moral Of The Story...
An old man, a boy and a donkey were going to town. The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked. As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding. The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions.

Later, they passed some people that remarked, What a shame, he makes that little boy walk. They then ecided they both would walk.

Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride. So, they both rode the donkey.

Now they passed some people that shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey. The boy and man said they were probably right, so they decided to carry the donkey.

As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story? If you try to please everyone, you might as well kiss your ass good-bye.

Source Unknown

More Pride for Canadian Sports
I think now, more than ever, Canadians have to work to protect and promote ourselves. I do not want to become a victim of American imperialism. I want to remain Canadian. We need our own national hockey league, we need our own national lacrosse league, we need our own television programs, we need our own policies, we need our own job creation programs. Can't we do anything? Something?

Concerned and Proud Canadian

How do ya move Canada?
I think we should move the country. It's hard to compete with the States but think how good we'd look living next to Uzbekistan!

Brad
Hamilton, Canada

Are Canadian Politicians feeling insecure?
Dear Sir Hello. Yesterday, I read part of Mr Martin's brilliant budget spending calling for more roads between Canada and the US. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that for our own security, we should focus more on Canada's economy. We should be putting our own money into our own country; not the US. Also, this joint border agreement in which Canada's adopts immigration policies similar to the US is a farce. What right does the US have to dictate our national policy? Is there anything we can do about this?

JC
New Brunswick

Korean TV - IS Canada missing out?


In Korea there is an English-language station called Arirang TV. They broadcast all shows in Engilsh. In the event of shows with Korean interviews, English subtitles are available. Anyway, they broadcast a lot of BBC and DW (news from Germany). DW also includes great tourist places and other cultural things. From time to time, I have seen Canadian cultural topics. Not too long ago, for example, Nunavut was featured on a documentary. I think CBC and/or CTV would be crazy not to get in on the act especially since many documentaries and other shows have already been made. If possible, I suggest that action be taken ASAP because as the World Cup draws nearer, networks are focusing on this and since Canada is not involved, our country may be overlooked. Outside the US military bases, Canadians in Korea outnumber Americans. Therefore, it would be nice to see news from our own country.

JC
Busan
S. Korea

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