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Canadian politicians 'under foreign control'
IN STARTLING comments that appeared to surprise the government, Canada's spy agency has said it suspects that cabinet ministers in two Canadian provinces are under the control of foreign nations -- meaning China.The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) also said some countries, including China and countries in the Middle East, were playing a long-term strategy that involves trying to recruit people in Canadian universities. The remarks by CSIS director Richard Fadden were broadcast late on Tuesday, just before Chinese premier Hu Jintao was due to arrive in Canada on a formal visit. The country has a significant ethnic-Chinese minority. "There are several municipal politicians in British Columbia, and in at least two provinces there are ministers of the Crown who we think are under at least the general influence of a foreign government," Mr Fadden said in a speech that was filmed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Pressed by the CBC as to what he meant, Mr Fadden said the individuals in question -- whom he did not identify -- had no idea they were being used.
Asked whether he was speaking about China, Mr Fadden referred to recent media stories about Chinese spying in Canada. "I wouldn't say that those stories were entirely incorrect and the country you mentioned is, I believe, mentioned in those stories," he said. The office of prime minister Stephen Harper, which is trying to boost Canada's ties with China, said it did not know what Mr Fadden was talking about. "We have no knowledge of these matters. CSIS directs its own operations," said Mr Harper's chief spokesman, Dimitri Soudas. Posted by: Fred 2010-06-25 |
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