FBI TARGETS BORDER SAFETY

MONTREAL (CP) -- The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation says it has asked
Congress for more money to increase its permanent presence in Canada to
prevent terrorist attacks and deter cross-border crime.

The special agents, known as legal attaches, would exchange information
with Canadian law-enforcement agencies and aid in terrorism,
drug-trafficking and fraud investigations being conducted on both sides of
the border.

"The world of crime is expanding so rapidly internationally," said Stuart
Sturm, the FBI's legal counsel in Ottawa.

"This, of course, bolsters that argument that resources are needed overseas
for not just the FBI, but other agencies."

Sturm could not say if or when the FBI's budget proposal would be approved.

Canadian and American law-enforcement officials have been working together
for years, but their relationship has intensified since the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks.