[ninty]

CSIS warns terrorists may target Canada
Last Updated Thu, 06 May 2004 21:07:27
OTTAWA - The head of Canada's spy agency says an attack on Canada by terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda is inevitable.

Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) director Ward Elcock told the House of Commons national security sub-committee that Canada was singled out twice over the last two years in taped messages by al-Qaeda. Elcock says those warnings make it clear that Canada will be targeted.

Ward Elcock
"As al-Qaeda directly threatened Canadians at least twice in the last two years, the last time only a month ago, it is therefore safe to assume that it's no longer a question of if, but where and when we'll be specifically targeted."

Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan says Elcock is not scaremongering, only reminding Canadians that no country is immune from terrorism.

"I think what Mr. Elcock said is a responsible thing to say. We live in a complex world and we must be prepared for the possibility that we will be the target of a direct threat or attack," said McLellan.

Elcock also repeated a statement he's made before, that terrorists are operating in Canada, and that CSIS continues to monitor their activities.