Kidnapners should not be heroes CANADA'S most infa- mous socially conscious tourists have finally been returned to this country. Whoopee. Please excuse me if I'm underwhelmed by the gush- ing welcome given to Christine Lamont and David Spencer after nine years ina Brazilian jail. Lamont, from Langley, and Spencer, from Moncton, travelled to Brazil in the laie “80s taking with them their own brand of teft-wing luna- cy to thar politically troubled country. They got involved with a leftist guerrilla group and were subsequently arrest- ed following the botched kid- napping of a member of the Brazilian bourgecisie. The merry band of loonies held Abilio Diniz, the wealthy owner of Brazil's largest supermarket chain, captive for six days while demanding a $30 million US ransom to fund the leftist guerrillas fight agzinst the government. When the police broke up the plan, Lamont and Spencer, showing the couraye of their convictions, bleated to all who would listen that they were also victims of the gang. They claimed they were innocent and had nothing to do with the kidnap plot. The Brazilian court didn’t agree and handed them a 28-vear sentence to consider the folly of their ways, Whar followed was a con- certed effort at deceiving the Canadian government and the Canadian public to try te win their release. For over six years they maintained their innocence. Their parents, especially the Lamonts in Langley, lobbied hard to get External Affairs to pressure the Brazilian government to return their wayward kids. In 1996, after some exhaustive investigation, it was determined the pair were not the sweet and innocent tourists they claimed to be. Evidence of forged pass- ports and substantial pre- planning involving the couple showed the depth of rhe con- spiracy they were intricately involved in. After more than six years of perpetrating 3 slick decep- crime and punishment tion of our government, media and citizenry, the truth was finally out. They were guilty of conspiring to kidnap Diniz, threatening to kill him and holding him hostage foc six days, These weren't kids arrest- ed ina foreign country hold- ing signs in a protest tor human rights, innocent of anything except being ideal- ists. Hardly. They got involved with terrorists. Killers of the most vile sort, They gave their active assistance to the planning and execution of a cold-blooded scheme to kid- nap 2 man guilty only of being w valthy: When they were impris- oned in Brazil, bleating their innocence, they coerced the Brazilian government to get special treatment, something that caused their tellow inmates to riot three years ago in protest. Now they have been returned to Canada and placed in Canadian jails, ostensibly to complete their sentences. But they won't. Our laws have provision for carly release after comple- tion of one thitd of the sen- tence. This means Lamont and Spencer will be eligible for parole before the year is over, When they arrived at Abbotsford airport on Saturday morning, all the media were there to film the tearful reunions with friends and family members. Warm and fuzzy quotes were broad- cast and printed abour how happy evervone was for their return to Canada. Well, isn't that spectal. But, for this pair of con- victed terrorists — and that’s what they really are — to be given almost hero status is more than we should bear. The “misguided youth” argu- ment just doesn't wash here. They deft Canada fully intending to get involved in the political causes of the left in South America. With eves fully open, they actively assisted in planning and co- ordinating the kidnap scheme. Once caught, they deceived this country about their true actions and involvement, showing clearly, no remorse whatsoever, And somehow we're sup- posed to feel sorry for them and accord them a type of hero or martyr status? There are a great many causes that deserve our atten- tion and concern. The strange case of Christine Lamont and David Spencer is not one of them. Spare me the tears, please. g29 The resignation of Solicitor General Andy Scott will ne doubt focus the spot- light on APEC commission chairman Gerald Morin, also under the spectre of suspicion for having pre-judged the APEC situation. Scott didn’t decide by himself that a few Mounties, including Staff Sgt. Hugh (Hughie) Stewart, would rake the “hit” for the government. Neither did Morin con- clade, all on his own, the statements attributed to him in the Prince Albert gambling joint. On the contrary, the reek of the spin doctors is all over the words of both Scott and Morin. The RCMP Public Complaints Commission was never the forum to get at the truth of the invelvement of the Prime Minister's Office. The commission has neither the authority nor the man- p Bec 27 pt. Safety check. 15 rrimutes - FAST! includes up to 5 itras of 1Ow30 Qunkerstate I 1362 Marine Drive 980-9115 precse 8:00arn-6:0Cpm, Sun 9:00um-5 00pm Expires Dec, 9/98 = date to look at anvthing other than the actions of the RCMP. Let's face it, both Seorr and Morin are prime ministe- rial lackevs. Yes-men, depen- dent on the good graces of the PM for their daily crust. They were both spouting the stories they were given. Given, PI wager, by the backroom boys in the PMO. The people who are really running this country, lest anvone think it is the elected Members of Parliament who are in charge. It is those people whose actions need to be examined thoroughly by a commission with the authority and man- date to look into the corrup- tion of the Prime Minister's Office. Those who would seek to make police officers like Hugh Stewart patsies. Scott’s resignation was inevitable. So, too, is that of Gerald Morin. As is the dis- banding of the APEC com- mission. Whether an effective commission is subsequently struck to actually get at the truth depends entirely on how much pressure can be brought to bear on the prime minister and whether he wants to consider the poten- tial suicide such action would trigger. From the outset, I have said the issues of pepper spraving of the protesters and the involvement of the PMO are two entirely separate things. It seems the matter is finally starting to untold as it should. — lknight@direct.ca Wednesday, November 25, 1998 -- North Shore News — S.Laursen & Son Draperies and Blinds Ltd. “i — Wy tlhe I} Serving the ‘t ower Mainland since 1 971 Another one of ‘our + design. For Free Estimate call 922-4975 or 987-2966 (Ask about eur Seniors Discount} Labour $12.50 per panel unlined, $13.50 lined. Custom Rods, Upholstery & Bedspreads baa Low Low Prices & 7 Defieux-Saxelby Insurance sservices Inc. 105-200 West Esplanade North Vancouver (Located beneath Famous Players Theatre) Local Honda Dealer Forced Into Sell-Off. Local overstocked dealer faced w'th loss of winter allocations, forced to discount inventory $1,000-$5, 700 off sticker prices North Vancouver, BC — Steve Szentveri, Gen- eral Sales Manager of Pacific Honda was quoted this week as saying, “If I have to, I will undersell every dealer west of the Ontario border. I don't care where or who they are, I won't be undersold!” Szentveri intends to discount everything from $1,000-$5,700 off the — sticker prices. When asked for specific details he said, “Here is a 1998 Odyssey van, a demo, stock number 0307. Thi» van is touted as being one of the bese on the road today. Including the factory incentive-, | will discount this vehicle $5,700 off the sticker price.” What can customers expect on other models? “Unbelievable deals on everything,” Szent- veri replied, “Nothing will be held back. Absolutely — nothing! Customers can expect the deal of a lifetime. Pacific Honda simply has no choice!” We went to our banks and told them we needed help selling this huge selection of vehicles. They agreed, and told us that for the four-day period chey would finance these vehicles for a down payment of only $88, with approved credit. Pacific's Used Car Manager Rick Desjar- dins said, “With all the lending sources we have, we’re confident we can help everyone who needs financing, regardless if they want a new or a used car.” Desjardins went on to say, “You have to lead, follow, or get out of the way!” We want to lead, and we're prepared to prove it!” So, for the next four days, Wednesday, Nov- ember 25 through Saturday, November 28 Pacific Honda will make available all factory incentives, all finance incentives and extraordinary discounts on every — in-stock vehicle. In addition, we'll show the discounts and the payments on the windshield of every new and used car and minivan we have, so buying will be even easier. Pacific Honda is located at 725 Marine Dr. in North Van- couver. For more infor- mation about Pacific Honda's massive 4-day sale, contact Steve Szentveri or Rick Desjardins at 984-0331.