Spy agency investigates Libyan interest in WMDs
By JIM BRONSKILL
OTTAWA (CP) - As Paul Martin plans a relation-thawing visit to Libya, a newly
disclosed report shows Canada's spy agency was probing the North African
country's interest in deadly weapons as recently as last spring.
The latest report of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to Public
Safety Minister Anne McLellan says the activities of "certain foreign
governments, such as Iran, Libya and Syria," came under scrutiny of the
agency's counter-proliferation branch.
Among the CSIS division's responsibilities is the investigation of
state-sponsored terrorism related to possible acquisition of biological,
chemical, nuclear or radiological weapons of mass destruction.
Martin heads to Libya this month for a three-day visit during which he will
meet President Moammar Gadhafi, once an international outcast.
Western relations with Gadhafi have warmed considerably since he renounced
terrorism and promised not to cultivate large-scale weapons.
The CSIS report cites a "continuing and significant threat" posed by devices
that can blanket large numbers with chemicals, germs or radiation.
During a recent intelligence conference in Ottawa, CSIS analyst Ron Purver
characterized the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction as being among the
"ultimate state secrets."
The report says the service's investigations into such threats during the last
year involved working closely with allied intelligence agencies to probe
"individuals living in western countries."
The 18-page document, an annual accounting of the spy service's activities,
covers the period April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004.
A declassified version of the top secret report, dated May 28, was obtained by
The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.
It was the final annual report to the minister from longtime CSIS director Ward
Elcock, who left the post shortly afterwards. Jim Judd, a veteran bureaucrat
and former deputy defence minister, recently took up the director's position.
The report says the last year "presented a variety of challenges" for the
intelligence service, including continuing pressures flowing from the aftermath
of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
"Although the service's resources were expanded to counter the threat in the
context of the September 2001 attacks, they are hard pressed to continue to
meet the demands of the current heightened threat environment, which has
evolved considerably since then," the letter says.
The service is relying to a greater degree on risk management - the strategic
allocation of resources - to counter possible terrorist strikes.
"Notwithstanding, we are confident that we are providing good coverage of the
most pressing threats."
CSIS has undertaken an "increasing number" of joint operations with partners at
home and abroad, the report adds.
It means the spy service must beef up formal links with other agencies, given
that "time and effort are required to create and maintain the crucial
relationships that underpin this co-operation."
The report also confirms recent indications the spy agency has stepped up
investigations outside Canada.
The international nature of the terrorist threat has "broadened the platform"
from which the service conducts operations, Elcock wrote.
"More and more we find that the most effective means of acquiring
threat-related information is to obtain it offshore, where it originates."
.
|
