U.S. EXPANDS BORDER PATROL

A new 69-person border patrol base set up in Bellingham Aug. 20 means
the United States now has the capabilities to scan activity nearly 400
kilometres into B.C.

The base, which is the first of five to be built along the Canada/U.S.
border, has been equipped with U.S. helicopters [including a Black
Hawk], a fixed-wing aircraft and two marine units that can scan deep
into B.C. territory.

The move, however, doesn't mean the Americans can enter Canada without
permission from our authorities.

"There were a lot of people that were really concerned about this,"
said RCMP media spokesman Sgt. John Ward on Tuesday. "They thought we
were allowing the Americans to do all this stuff without us present.
That's not the case. The important thing to remember is they never
travel into Canadian air space without our knowledge, permission and
presence. They very much respect our sovereignty."

"So if you're sitting in Abbotsford having a cup of coffee at
Starbucks and you hear something in the air, it's not the Americans,"
he added with a laugh.

The added enforcement was made to combat illegal smuggling across both
sides of the border. Ward says in exchange for copious amounts of
marijuana heading south of the border, cocaine and guns are being
shipped into Canada.

"Superimposed on top of this is the threat of terrorists crossing the
border," said Ward. "As much as we are vigilant and live in one of the
safest communities in the world, we're not immune."

Joe Giuliano, assistant chief of border patrol operations based in
Blaine, Wash., said the Americans already have a well-equipped border
patrol unit, but the new equipment is much more powerful.

"They would be able to conduct a surveillance . . . and be able to do
covert operations," he said. "We operate with highly visible marked
aircraft and boats."

Ward stressed that the move is good for both Canada and the U.S. "It's
a redeployment of American assets which is done with our support," he
said. "This is a win-win."