Charles R. Smith
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002

Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chretien recently blamed the West and, in particular, the United States for the terrorist attacks of September 11. Yet Chretien has a new problem, that of helping a wanted terrorist to escape.

"You know, you cannot exercise your powers to the point of humiliation for others. That is what the Western world – not only the Americans, the Western world – has to realize. Because they [the have-nots] are human beings too. There are long-term consequences if you don't look hard at the reality in 10 or 20 [or] 30 years from now," said Chretien in a recent CBC interview.

"And I do think the Western world is getting too rich in relation to the poor world and necessarily, you know, we're looked upon as being arrogant, self-satisfied, greedy and with no limits, and September 11 is an occasion for me to realize it even more," concluded Chretien.

Canadian Transport Minister David Collenette went further in an interview with the CBC that was shown on September 11, comparing some leading players in the United States to bullies on an ice hockey rink.

"There will be people in the United States sort of emboldened by their new source of unfettered power to – in an [ice] hockey term – get their elbows up," said the minister.

Yet Chretien and Collenette are not the only voices in Canada. Ontario Public Security Minister Bob Runciman called Chretien's remarks "very disturbing."

"The prime minister blamed the West, and in particular the United States, for the 9/11 attacks, and this is very disturbing. We deserve an explanation on this," stated Runciman.

Chretien Linked to Wanted Terrorist

The Ontario public security minister has already called upon Chretien to explain himself in a related scandal. Apparently, the Canadian prime minister personally intervened on behalf of an accused terrorist, 54-year-old Ahmed Khadr, arrested in Pakistan in 1996.

Previously published reports noted that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service had a file alleging that Khadr moved money from Afghanistan to Pakistan through a relief agency, Human Concern International, to pay for a suicide bomb attack on the Egyptian embassy in Islamabad that killed 17.

"Khadr is not someone you should be going to bat for. The prime minister should be explaining not just to Canadians, but [also] our allies, as to why he personally intervened," said Runciman.

Runciman said he would ask the public security commissioner, Dr. James Young, to look at the Khadr case.

Ahmed Khadr, also known as "al Kanadi" or "the Canadian," was placed on the U.S. government's most-wanted list last year following the September 11 terror attacks. Khadr has not been captured and his whereabouts are not known.

Khadr's 15-year-old son is currently being held at the U.S. military headquarters in Bagram, Afghanistan, for allegedly killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan in July. The U.S. military is holding Khadr's son on suspicion that he was involved in the death of Special Forces medic Sgt. Christopher Speer.

"The prime minister's personal involvement can't provide any assurance to our best friends and best trading partners," said Runciman, referring to the United States.

Terror Fundraising in Canada

"We have the longest undefended border in the world with the United States. We have been an ally in war and peace. The U.S. is Canada's number one trading partner; 93 percent of Ontario's exports go to the United States. We have to address our common security concerns," stated Runciman.

"We need to pursue the fundraising of people like Khadr and how these organizations can be banned from raising money in Canada," stated Runciman.

"Our government considers public safety a top priority," Runciman said. "We will take the necessary steps to fight the threat of terrorism."

Runciman was quick to point out that since September 11, he has led several major efforts to improve security in Canada with the United States.

"We now have a rapid response unit ready to react to terrorist events. We have purchased biological and chemical equipment for our first line of defense, the RCMP and local police units, and we have put money into our intelligence units to target folks who are illegally in the province," stated Runicman.

New Special Security Director

The Ontario public security minister has also taken the lead in Canada's effort to improve security with the United States by naming Scott Newark as his special security adviser.

"Scott Newark's credentials are impeccable," Runciman said.

Newark is known inside D.C. circles for his security-related work while serving as executive director of the Canadian Police Association, a position he assumed following a career as an Alberta crown attorney.

As crown attorney he prosecuted many high-profile serious crime cases, including those involving motorcycle gang members. The Ontario government recruited him in 1998 to provide criminal justice policy advice to the government.

"Scott brings a background and commitment to these issues that will be an immense benefit to the important work ahead," stated Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino.

"The Ontario government has correctly identified the linkage between public and economic security as a matter of first importance, and I'm looking forward to helping get the job done," Newark said.

"At least some people in Canada have it figured out," concluded Newark.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
War on Terrorism

Editor's note:
Revealed: The Terrorists Living Among Us