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05-02-2007, 12:52 PM
RCMP got warning 20 days before bombing
Air India telex predicted bombs placed in baggage, urged 'counter-sabotage'
Kim Bolan, The Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Air India warned the RCMP 20 days before the June 23, 1985 terrorist bombing of Flight 182 that Sikh extremists planned to target the airline with suitcase bombs or suicide squads.
Shocking telexes and letters about the threats from 22 years ago were revealed for the first time yesterday at the judicial inquiry looking into the bombing and subsequent investigation.
"Assessment of threat received from intelligence agencies reveal the likelihood of sabotage attempts being undertaken by Sikh extremists by placing time-delay devices in the aircraft or registered baggage," an Air India telex says. "It is also learnt that Sikh extremists are planning to set up suicide squads who may attempt to blow up an aircraft by smuggling in of explosives in the registered or (carry on) baggage or any other means."
View Larger Image
Former Vancouver police officer Don McLean told the inquiry that a reliable source told him an associate of bombing mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar had bragged that something big would happen.
Fred Chartrand, The Canadian Press
Font:
After receiving the telex, the RCMP asked the Canadian Security Intelligence Service for a new threat assessment on the airline, but neglected to hand over the critical information provided by Air India. CSIS then issued an assessment claiming there was no specific threat against Air India.
Inquiry lawyer Anil Kapoor said the only explanation he has received about the lack of communication between agencies is "oversight."
However, retired justice John Major said it is tough to accept that something so critical would be overlooked.
"Oversight is not filling your dog's dish with water," Mr. Major said. "It is just surprising that that would be the explanation -- oversight -- for something as dire as that."
The Air India telex called for "meticulous implementation of counter-sabotage measures for flights at all airports."
Air India hired Burns Security at Toronto's Pearson Airport for greater vigilance in response to the warnings.
However, the RCMP officer in charge of airport security said in a June 5 telex to his bosses: "I do not feel there is a need for extra security by this force."
The inquiry, which resumed Monday after several months, has heard dramatic examples of warnings to police that preceded the Air India blast that killed 329 people, and a second bombing the same day at Tokyo's Narita Airport that killed two baggage handlers.
Victims' families have repeatedly asked why more was not done to stop violent Sikh separatists who were plotting revenge against the Indian government for its 1984 attack on the Golden Temple.
Earlier yesterday, retired Vancouver police officer Don McLean testified he was told on June 12, 1985 by a good source that an associate of bombing mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar bragged that something big was going to happen within two weeks.
Mr. McLean said he was investigating a threat against moderate Vancouver businessman Sarbjit Singh Khurana when Mr. Khurana was approached by Sikh militants for a meeting about the threat.
Manmohan Singh, then the high-profile spokesman of the International Sikh Youth Federation, asked Mr. Khurana for a meeting to pressure him to withdraw his complaint to police. Mr. McLean arranged for the June 12 event to be surreptitiously recorded, although parts of the tape were inaudible upon review.
At the meeting, Mr. Singh chastised others present for not doing more for the separatist cause, Mr. Khurana told police. "No consuls have been killed. No ambassadors have been killed. What are you doing? Nothing," Mr. Singh allegedly said. Parmar associate Pushpinder Singh responded: "You will see. Something will be done within two weeks!!"
© The Ottawa Citizen 2007
------------------------------------
Backlog, quality concerns plague RCMP DNA testing: AG
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 | 7:14 PM ET
CBC News
The RCMP's forensic labs are failing to provide timely DNA analysis in a high percentage of cases, including some involving murder and other violent crimes, according to Canada's auditor general.
In a highly critical report Tuesday, Sheila Fraser said the force's Forensic Laboratory Services frequently miss their deadlines, contrary to assurances from senior Mounties who testified at parliamentary committees.
Auditor General Shelia Fraser holds a news conference after releasing her annual report in Ottawa on Tuesday.
(Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)
Prompt lab analysis allows the police to be more efficient, supports quicker arrests and can ease the anxiety of crime victims, Fraser noted.
"Delays in obtaining results of forensic analysis can slow police investigations and leave criminals on the street to reoffend."
The force's laboratory operation, at six sites across Canada, provides a range of services relating to criminal cases in the areas of biology, toxicology, firearms, trace evidence and counterfeiting.
Among the most important responsibilities is analyzing the DNA of materials such as blood, bodily fluids and hair for police, the courts and government agencies.
Continue Article
"The RCMP has met some criteria but overall it is not delivering timely forensic services according to the targets it has set," the report says.
Fraser said her study found that although the forensic service can process urgent requests in fewer than 15 days, they account for just one per cent of service requests.
In the remaining 99 per cent categorized as routine, including murder and other violent offences, the service is "unable for the most part to meet the 30-day target it has set for them."
DNA analysis days increase
While average completion times have improved in other cases, for DNA analysis, they have worsened — to 114 days in 2005-06 from 91 days in 2003-04 — despite increased spending and additional staff, the report says.
"The backlog of DNA requests is a major contributor to the long turnaround times."
Fraser's findings contradict earlier assurances from RCMP officials to Commons committees.
In November 2004, a committee was told there was no backlog of laboratory cases. In 2005, then commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli, appearing before the justice committee, played down questions about backlogs, saying he preferred to call them "work in progress."
However, Fraser documented a backlog of 2,017 DNA analysis requests as of March 2006.
"Our audit shows there was incorrect information that was given (to Parliament). We do not know the rationale or the motivation behind that," she said at a news conference.
Asked whether Mounties lied to MPs, she said: "'Lie' to me implies an intent to deceive. I think you have to ask the people concerned for an explanation as to why that happened. It could simply have been an error."
Zaccardelli said Tuesday that he stands by his testimony.
The NDP's justice critic, Joe Comartin, said Zaccardelli and the RCMP are playing word games, and he wants the former commissioner to make another appearance before the justice committee to explain his definition of what constitutes a backlog.
"They don't see it as a backlog. I think the auditor-general has made it very clear that by any objective standard, we do have this backllog," Comartin said.
Issues raised years ago
Fraser also uncovered "significant weaknesses" in how the laboratory service defines, monitors and resolves quality issues related to its work. Notably, the system was unable to identify problems with an automated process introduced to test DNA.
"Given these major shortcomings, overall the RCMP cannot be said to perform satisfactorily in this area."
Mountie forensic labs are in Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton and Vancouver. Ontario and Quebec, which do not rely on the Mounties for provincial policing, have their own labs.
Fraser said most of the issues were raised in her office's 1990 and 2000 audits, and that it was disappointing to find them still unresolved.
"The RCMP needs to develop a realistic action plan to fix these long-standing problems."
The RCMP agreed with Fraser's recommendations and is preparing action plans to address them.
With files from the Canadian Press
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Air India telex predicted bombs placed in baggage, urged 'counter-sabotage'
Kim Bolan, The Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Air India warned the RCMP 20 days before the June 23, 1985 terrorist bombing of Flight 182 that Sikh extremists planned to target the airline with suitcase bombs or suicide squads.
Shocking telexes and letters about the threats from 22 years ago were revealed for the first time yesterday at the judicial inquiry looking into the bombing and subsequent investigation.
"Assessment of threat received from intelligence agencies reveal the likelihood of sabotage attempts being undertaken by Sikh extremists by placing time-delay devices in the aircraft or registered baggage," an Air India telex says. "It is also learnt that Sikh extremists are planning to set up suicide squads who may attempt to blow up an aircraft by smuggling in of explosives in the registered or (carry on) baggage or any other means."
View Larger Image
Former Vancouver police officer Don McLean told the inquiry that a reliable source told him an associate of bombing mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar had bragged that something big would happen.
Fred Chartrand, The Canadian Press
Font:
After receiving the telex, the RCMP asked the Canadian Security Intelligence Service for a new threat assessment on the airline, but neglected to hand over the critical information provided by Air India. CSIS then issued an assessment claiming there was no specific threat against Air India.
Inquiry lawyer Anil Kapoor said the only explanation he has received about the lack of communication between agencies is "oversight."
However, retired justice John Major said it is tough to accept that something so critical would be overlooked.
"Oversight is not filling your dog's dish with water," Mr. Major said. "It is just surprising that that would be the explanation -- oversight -- for something as dire as that."
The Air India telex called for "meticulous implementation of counter-sabotage measures for flights at all airports."
Air India hired Burns Security at Toronto's Pearson Airport for greater vigilance in response to the warnings.
However, the RCMP officer in charge of airport security said in a June 5 telex to his bosses: "I do not feel there is a need for extra security by this force."
The inquiry, which resumed Monday after several months, has heard dramatic examples of warnings to police that preceded the Air India blast that killed 329 people, and a second bombing the same day at Tokyo's Narita Airport that killed two baggage handlers.
Victims' families have repeatedly asked why more was not done to stop violent Sikh separatists who were plotting revenge against the Indian government for its 1984 attack on the Golden Temple.
Earlier yesterday, retired Vancouver police officer Don McLean testified he was told on June 12, 1985 by a good source that an associate of bombing mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar bragged that something big was going to happen within two weeks.
Mr. McLean said he was investigating a threat against moderate Vancouver businessman Sarbjit Singh Khurana when Mr. Khurana was approached by Sikh militants for a meeting about the threat.
Manmohan Singh, then the high-profile spokesman of the International Sikh Youth Federation, asked Mr. Khurana for a meeting to pressure him to withdraw his complaint to police. Mr. McLean arranged for the June 12 event to be surreptitiously recorded, although parts of the tape were inaudible upon review.
At the meeting, Mr. Singh chastised others present for not doing more for the separatist cause, Mr. Khurana told police. "No consuls have been killed. No ambassadors have been killed. What are you doing? Nothing," Mr. Singh allegedly said. Parmar associate Pushpinder Singh responded: "You will see. Something will be done within two weeks!!"
© The Ottawa Citizen 2007
------------------------------------
Backlog, quality concerns plague RCMP DNA testing: AG
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 | 7:14 PM ET
CBC News
The RCMP's forensic labs are failing to provide timely DNA analysis in a high percentage of cases, including some involving murder and other violent crimes, according to Canada's auditor general.
In a highly critical report Tuesday, Sheila Fraser said the force's Forensic Laboratory Services frequently miss their deadlines, contrary to assurances from senior Mounties who testified at parliamentary committees.
Auditor General Shelia Fraser holds a news conference after releasing her annual report in Ottawa on Tuesday.
(Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)
Prompt lab analysis allows the police to be more efficient, supports quicker arrests and can ease the anxiety of crime victims, Fraser noted.
"Delays in obtaining results of forensic analysis can slow police investigations and leave criminals on the street to reoffend."
The force's laboratory operation, at six sites across Canada, provides a range of services relating to criminal cases in the areas of biology, toxicology, firearms, trace evidence and counterfeiting.
Among the most important responsibilities is analyzing the DNA of materials such as blood, bodily fluids and hair for police, the courts and government agencies.
Continue Article
"The RCMP has met some criteria but overall it is not delivering timely forensic services according to the targets it has set," the report says.
Fraser said her study found that although the forensic service can process urgent requests in fewer than 15 days, they account for just one per cent of service requests.
In the remaining 99 per cent categorized as routine, including murder and other violent offences, the service is "unable for the most part to meet the 30-day target it has set for them."
DNA analysis days increase
While average completion times have improved in other cases, for DNA analysis, they have worsened — to 114 days in 2005-06 from 91 days in 2003-04 — despite increased spending and additional staff, the report says.
"The backlog of DNA requests is a major contributor to the long turnaround times."
Fraser's findings contradict earlier assurances from RCMP officials to Commons committees.
In November 2004, a committee was told there was no backlog of laboratory cases. In 2005, then commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli, appearing before the justice committee, played down questions about backlogs, saying he preferred to call them "work in progress."
However, Fraser documented a backlog of 2,017 DNA analysis requests as of March 2006.
"Our audit shows there was incorrect information that was given (to Parliament). We do not know the rationale or the motivation behind that," she said at a news conference.
Asked whether Mounties lied to MPs, she said: "'Lie' to me implies an intent to deceive. I think you have to ask the people concerned for an explanation as to why that happened. It could simply have been an error."
Zaccardelli said Tuesday that he stands by his testimony.
The NDP's justice critic, Joe Comartin, said Zaccardelli and the RCMP are playing word games, and he wants the former commissioner to make another appearance before the justice committee to explain his definition of what constitutes a backlog.
"They don't see it as a backlog. I think the auditor-general has made it very clear that by any objective standard, we do have this backllog," Comartin said.
Issues raised years ago
Fraser also uncovered "significant weaknesses" in how the laboratory service defines, monitors and resolves quality issues related to its work. Notably, the system was unable to identify problems with an automated process introduced to test DNA.
"Given these major shortcomings, overall the RCMP cannot be said to perform satisfactorily in this area."
Mountie forensic labs are in Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton and Vancouver. Ontario and Quebec, which do not rely on the Mounties for provincial policing, have their own labs.
Fraser said most of the issues were raised in her office's 1990 and 2000 audits, and that it was disappointing to find them still unresolved.
"The RCMP needs to develop a realistic action plan to fix these long-standing problems."
The RCMP agreed with Fraser's recommendations and is preparing action plans to address them.
With files from the Canadian Press
Related
In Depth: Auditor General
Diplomats in hazardous posts shortchanged on danger pay: auditors
Passport security improved, but weaknesses remain: AG
Inmates' ombudsman shirked duties, often skipped work: AG
Liberals misinformed Parliament about millions spent on gun registry: AG