RCMP REJECT KIRO-TV TERRORIST CLAIM

The RCMP yesterday denied a Seattle television station's claim that
terrorists are raising funds in B.C. through the drug trade for their
operations against Western targets.

"Hundreds of seasoned terrorists are hanging out in British Columbia," KIRO
said in a news story posted on its web page.

"This city [Vancouver] wants to be known as our friendly neighbour to the
north and host for the 2010 Winter Games.

"However, a KIRO Team 7 investigation discovered it's also home to 55 known
terrorist organizations, some of which would do anything to kill
Americans." The station did not reveal its sources for the claim.

KIRO claimed the RCMP told its reporters that Al-Qaida is dealing drugs in
Vancouver to raise money for its cause.

But RCMP spokesman Sgt. John Ward said no Mountie spoke to KIRO.

"Let's not just use Al-Qaida, let's use any terrorist organization," said
Ward. "The RCMP is comfortable when we say that we have yet to uncover any
terrorist group linked to drug trafficking in British Columbia."

Asked if hundreds of terrorists are hanging out in B.C, Ward replied: "We
have nothing to support that. We can't agree with that comment at all."

Sources said the collaboration between U.S. and Canadian authorities has
been extensive since Algerian terrorist Ahmed Ressam was caught entering
the U.S. from B.C. in December 1999 with explosives.

Blaine Border Patrol Chief Ron Henley questioned KIRO's claim that
terrorist groups are entering the U.S. at will from B.C. because of holes
in border security.

"I am very upbeat on what we are doing on the border," he said. "My best
partners are the RCMP. We work very closely with all the enforcement people
on the Canadian side.

"Now, everybody knows that there are terror cells on both sides of the
border. Have I received specific information that there is a specific cell
in Canada? I have not. As the chief patrol agent, I have not received any
intelligence that would tell me that."

Gene Davis, former chief of the border patrol, was quoted by KIRO as
questioning U.S. border patrol policies.

He told The Province he was complaining about a new border policy where
illegals crossing from B.C. are handed over to Canadian authorities rather
than taken into U.S. custody.

Henley, the current chief, said the emphasis is on barring entry to people
who could make a claim to stay once inside the U.S.