APFN
Canada, U.S. Sign Military Cooperative (Over Borders)
Mon Dec 9 20:42:11 2002
208.152.73.72

Canada, U.S. Sign Military Cooperative
By TOM COHEN, Associated Press Writer
December 9, 2002, 5:29 PM EST

TORONTO -- Canada and the United States have signed a military cooperation agreement that allows each country's troops to cross the border in an emergency, officials said Monday.

Faced with threats such as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the North American neighbors expanded their military cooperation beyond their partnership in NATO and Canada's role in the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, in Colorado.

Under the agreement, either country can request military help from the other. Any American troops operating in Canada would be under the command of a Canadian officer, while any Canadian troops operating south of the border would be under U.S. command.

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said the agreement, signed Dec. 5, covers a joint response to terrorist attacks on either side of the border, along with military assistance for other emergencies, including natural disasters.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said North America faces increased threats from the land, sea and air -- including the potential use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists.

"This agreement will help ensure that the two countries are better prepared for possible terrorist attacks and to assist one another in times of crisis," Boucher said.

Canadian Defense Minister John McCallum said the goal was to use available forces in the best way. For example, American troops in Washington state could respond quicker to a bioterror attack in Vancouver, British Columbia, than Canadian troops in the province of Ontario.

The agreement calls for more joint operations and exercises against terrorism. It also creates a new planning group to study how the two countries would deploy military forces and emergency services in a terrorist attack or other disaster.

Canadian Lt. Gen. Ken Pennie, the deputy NORAD commander, will head that planning group, which will be based at NORAD headquarters. Under NORAD, Canada's air force is closely integrated with U.S. plans to defend North American airspace.

Canada has been pressured by the United States to boost military spending after years of budget cuts reduced the size and capabilities of Canadian armed forces.

While Canada contributed troops, ships and reconnaissance planes to the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan, it withdrew its 850 army soldiers at the end of their mission in August and did not replace them because of thin resources.

McCallum has called for a large increase in defense spending in the next Canadian federal budget, which is due in February.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-canada-us-military1209dec09,0,7775939.story
================================================
U.S. BORDER CONTROL
America's last best chance to reform our border
and immigration policies ... before it's too late.
http://www.usbc.org/

Border Alert reviews and reports on the events affecting America's border and immigration policies, including articles on pending legislation; lobbying activity; polls and surveys; editorials; and, letters from readers. Listed below are some of the most recent editions of Border Alert as well as articles culled from previous issues of our newsletter.
http://www.usbc.org/

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Edward I. Nelson
U.S. Border Control
8180 Greensboro Drive #1070
McLean, VA 22102
tel 703-356-6568
fax 202-478-0254
email: info@usbc.org   

• OUR NORTHERN BORDER IS OUR PROBLEM — Carl F. Worden, Tue Dec 10 05:08