U.S. BEEFS UP B.C. CHECKPOINT

Homeland Security Plans To Strengthen Monitoring At Other Border
Crossings

BELLINGHAM, WASH. -- The Blackhawk helicopter hovered over the Pacific
Ocean, its pilot pointing out the coves and bays preferred by drug
dealers when they bring their wares from Canada.

At Birch Bay, less than 10 kilometres south of the border, the pilot
dived for a closer view at the scene of a drug bust last month in
which custom agents in a boat retrieved $200,000 (U.S.) from the water
and arrested two Canadians after intercepting what they say was an
exchange of money for drugs.

U.S. Customs helicopter pilot Mitch Pribble repeated the story again
and again yesterday for the benefit of Canadian and American reporters
invited on flights up and down the coast from this university town
about 40 kilometres south of the Canadian border. The purpose was to
explain why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will pour
millions of dollars into equipment and personnel at five border
crossings with Canada over the next four years to improve security.

The first command centre will be at Bellingham, where the price tag
for staff and equipment is $85-million.

U.S. Immigration and Customs made the announcement last week, citing
intelligence that says the world's longest undefended border is too
porous and poses a threat to U.S. security.

"Intelligence indicates there is a threat there [in Canada] that needs
to be responded to, so we're providing the air and marine capability
to respond to that, in support of both U.S. and Canadian authorities,"
said Gary Bracken, communications director for the U.S. Office of Air
and Marine Operations.

Mr. Bracken cited concerns about illegal immigrants, terrorists and
drugs.

It's no surprise that the first border reinforcements will be at
British Columbia, long a sore point for U.S. law enforcers. It was
from B.C. that convicted terrorist Ahmed Ressam attempted to enter the
United States in 1999 in a car containing explosive material. In terms
of drugs, last year a record 2,100 kilograms of B.C.-grown marijuana
entered the United States.

The Bellingham command centre was unveiled yesterday at a ceremony at
the airport. The next post will be opened in Plattsburgh, N.Y., south
of Montreal and the subsequent three will be in Montana, North Dakota
and Michigan.

At Bellingham, U.S. Customs will add two helicopters, including the
Black Hawk, as well a patrol plane and boat. Mr. Pribble said the
Blackhawk is a huge asset because it can chase and intercept aircraft
as well as ground vehicles.

The addition of the Black Hawk, a U.S. troop-carrying helicopter with
a range of 400 kilometres, raised some eyebrows in British Columbia
this week, leaving some to wonder if the helicopters would be leading
sorties into Canadian air space.

The U.S. says that won't happen and will continue to co-operate with
Canadian law enforcement agencies.

To drive home that point during the demonstration flight, the swooping
helicopter stopped dead in its tracks as the red Maple Leaf that is
emblazoned on the lawn at the border crossing came into view.

The aircraft made a sharp left turn over the Pacific and headed home
again.

The border reinforcements have received favourable reviews in the
United States.

In Canada, the reaction has been more skeptical.

Political scientist Michael Byers said he thinks the move was timed to
make the Bush administration appear tough on security in the last
months before the November U.S. elections. Mr. Byers, who teaches at
the University of British Columbia, said the extra security isn't necessary.

"I don't think the threat from Canada is anywhere close to what many
Americans believe it to be," said Mr. Byers, who just returned to
Canada this month after teaching several years at Duke University in
North Carolina.

"There is a misperception of the risk posed by the Canadian border,"
he said.

University of Victoria political scientist Reg Whitaker said the new
measures have the whiff of overkill.

"There really has never been much of an issue about people slipping
across mountain passes [into the United States]. My guess is there is
a lot of showcasing going on, just so Congressman X doesn't jump up
and say: Nothing is being done about the Canadian border.

"But you sort of wonder, given how low the threat of illegal crossings
there are, compared to the Mexican border -- how much payoff would
there be."