“For the first time in our bisto- TY. organized crime ts operating aca level where they are actual- by underinining the democratic institutions of our country and the values we hold dear. If we do not defend anrselves, we will become like some countries where the criminal orqaniza- tions have beeome more power- ful than some governments.” ~ RCMP Deputy Commissioner Giuliano “Zack” Zaccardelli, February, 2000 YEARS of political inaction and inattention by the federal govern- ment have allowed the various elements of organized crime to operate with virtual impunity in this coun- ry. Despite warnings from the police including voluminous _ teports filed each year ro the House of Commions, the Chretien government still doesn’t get it. Or, conversely, they are deliberately working to obfuscate the reality of th situation and frustrate police efforts to combat the ever- increasing menace Following the revelations in the. media last fall concern- into the infileration of our country by elements of Asian * organized crime and the resulting uproar in the Commons, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights began a Sub- Committee on Organized Crime. The sub-committee is crime and punishment made of members of all par- ties, but is dominated by the iberals and includes former : eneral Andy “Loose Lips” Scott. The sole Canadian Alliance member of the sub-committee was SolGen critic Jim Abbott. Tsay “was” because last week Abbott resigned trom the committee because they refused to hear any testimony in public, One of the ramifica- tions of this decision was that no committee member could fater bring up any informa- tion, learned as a result of the heazings, subsequently in the House during Question Period. Given that former Foreign Services Officer Brian McAdam was slated to testifi and would be alleging corry tion and political interference, this move by the Liberal dom- inated committee ensured no embarrassing information would ever see the hght of day. But protecing their po! cal comrades has a price. It plays into the hands of the very people they are mandar- ed to investigate. You see, the only way for organized crime to flourish is to do so in secret, away from the scruti- nizing eye of the media and the public at large. There's a reason th called “secret societic MoeAdam, for the record, has aureed to testify but only if the hearings are held in public, Evidently the last thing the Liberals want. [spoke with him last week after Abbott announced his decision to retire trom the sub-comimitice. While it’s fir to say he was not surprised at the latest series of events, he was also angry at the contin- ued efforts of a government to keep a lid on the activities of organized crime in this country. “One of the most impor- tant objectives of organized crime is simply te be ignored. If there are politicians who deny or down play the impor- tance of organized crime and who refuse to talk about it publicly, because it may antag- onize the Chinese, Italian, Russian or some other ethnic community, or because it may upser the image of Canada, or a province, oF a city asa crime-free area, then orpa- nized crime has a licen: do what it pleases,” said McAdam. ‘the prab- + td crime in er the com: ments of I 1 issioner Zaccardelli at the top of this column, Then, also, consider the statearents of R. James Woolse: of the Central Intelligence Agency of the U.S.A. between 1993 and 1995 “The threats from orga- nized crime transcend tradi- tional Jaw enforcement con- cers. They affeet critical national sccurity interests. Organized crime is a multi- Tiger Lily is in full bloom. Located on Marine Drive in West Vancouver's picturesque Ambleside district, the brignt and fragrant 700 sq. ft. flower store has been open since the end of February, when it replaced the old Wildflower store. Owned and operated by husband-and-wite team Kevin and Rachel Hardiman, Tiger Lily carries a full, fresh range of local and imported exotic flowers and plants. Whatever your request — from marigolc's to Ecuadorian roses, birds of paradise or anthuriums — the expert staff of Tiger Lily will be able to meet it. The store also offers a complimentary consultation service for houses and busi- ness that want to brighten up their space. Many businesses, in fact, have Tiger Lily deliver different mixes of fresh cut flowers each week. “A lot of people want to have something different ail the time. We try and be as creative as possible,” says Rache! Hardiman. Tiger Lily head designer Bob Mochrie® has over 40 years of expertise behind him. Tiger Lily can make all the arrangements for your large- scale functions, such as weddings, reunions or bar mitzvahs. Besides flowers, Tiger Lily also carries an ever-expanding range of greeting cards and gifts and specializes in creating Gright and beautiful planters and window boxes, Stop by today and have them custom-design an arrangement of flowers and let Tiger Lily - ‘Summer on the North Shore’ * Handtied flowers 45.00 reg. 122 *. Arrangement in vase $25.00 reg. §35 * Flowers may vary FLORAL DESIGN scaruner on the « brighten up your life. fo 1757 Marine Dr., West Vancouver, BC V7V 1J5 tel: (604) 925-3237 billion dollar transnational y from drug al OME —— SOIT $200 billion to $300 billion a year —- dwarf the GNP of vir- tually all the 170 nations in the international system,” said Woosley. “Organized crime can undermine the sovereignty of a state, although criminal vroups do not deliberately set out to do so, Indeed, their preterence is to ignoss the country they operase in. But when threatened by law enforcement, these groups respond with every means available, from bribery to murder, to protect their oper- ations,” concluded Woosley. And this, a UNDP report (United Nations) released in August, 1999: “Organized crime syndicates are estimated to gross $1.5 trillion US a year. The sheer concentration their power and money criminalizes business, pol and government.” So, why all the secrecy of the sub-committee hearings? The preblem is global and there has been mors than cnough information made available in the public domain to demonstrate the signifi- cance of the problem and the fact we, as a country, do pre- cious little to combat the growing mena “It is my belief that cor- ruption of government offi cials and politicians is also one of the key reasons for the ad denial,” says McAdam. “The Triads want to be ignored, hidden and secret. | exposed them and suffere the consequences of our gov- See Mountie page 9 "RATES: =Daty osveehty lontnty Cail or drop by for more details. 1600 Mackay Rd., North Van me a eee "ICBC rates. *Qpen 7 days a wees Cats Truths Vans & Miniwans % Call tor free ethno 990- 9931 tee, Save money on Toner Cartri dge Remanufacturing We Refill Ink Jet Cartridges Rentals from $100 per month D SERVICE BC LASER aumnonized [2B Fackano Men. “i: 984-7661 204 Donoghy Ave., North Yan ESELLER & OKIDATA fit S.LAURSE draperies & N & SON blinds ttd. Serving the Lower Mainland for over 28 years " wrervealdrapesandblinds.com Custom Rods, Upholstery & Bedspreads (Ask about our Seniors Discount) For Free Estimate call 922-4975 or 987-2966 Drapery Labour $14.95 per panel lined. Low Low Prices