Questions of WHEN news broke this summer that alleged Macau Triad leader, Tong Sang Lai, short- circuited our immigra- tion system: and obtained landed immi- grant status, new Immigration Minister Lucienne Robillard ~ began stonewalling and ’ hiding behind the ~ Privacy Act in refusing .to answer how this trav-. esty might have occurred. She ultimately realized the outcry wasn’t going away and announced carcer diplomat Joe Bissett would be going to Los Angeles, where Lai’s application was processed, to investigate why and how he _ was allowed into this country. ‘Lai is the reputed head of the Wo On Lok or “Shiu ’ Fong” triad, a major player in the lucrative gambling and ~ loan-sharking business in the . Portuguese colony. ‘The “Shiu Fong” (water rat) triad have been engaged in a bloody gangland war with the “14K” criad of nearby Hong Kong in a dispute over control in Macau. The shoot- ing war has claimed over a dozen lives this year alone. it culminated with the drive-by shootings of three members of the 5,000-strong “14K” triad. With business in Macau down nearly 50% because of the violence, the government and the Macau police, in conjunction with crime and punishment the Chinese government, bro- kered a “cease fire” in the face of the Hong Kong handover to China. Lai planned his escape from Macau tor several years. He initially applied for ianded immigrant status at the Canadian High Commission “When overwork is used as an excuse fora screw-up by the government, I’m immediately skeptical.” in Hong Kong in early 1994. He purchased a house on Fraserview Drive in Southeast Vancouver for $515,000 on June 9, 1994, Immigration officials in Hong Kong identified Lai as a triad member which would have excluded him from entry into the country. However, in early 1996, Lai’s lawyer informed Immigration he was withdrawing the application, He then travelled to Los Angeles where he applied through the Canadian. immigration Consulate. The application was approved without any Canadian immigration officer checking with the Hong Kong office, which would have identified him as a triad feader. In October 1996, Lai brought his family to Vancouver. Sources in immigration told me at the time there were only nwo possibilities for Lai being approved to enter Canada: gross incompetence or corruption. The beating Robillard took in the media and in the House from Retorm Immigration critic John Reynolds prompt- ed the commission of the Bissett report in Seprember of this year. Bissett, a respected former ambassador, tabled his report with the minister in late October. In the 22-page document, Bissett describes an immigration post trying to justify its existence in 1994, Then, with the appointment of'a new program manager, lan Rankin, actively soliciting new applicants, the post beeame so overworked by mid-1996 that Lai slipped through the cracks. From the outset, when overwork is used as an excuse for a screw-up by the govern: ment, I’m immediately skepti- cal. Bissett outlines the consid- erable increase in applications received by the Los Angeles office in the wake of Rankin’s appointment. According to Bissett, by May 1997, the office was dealing with over 2,500 active files. Of these, less than 150 were from resi- dents of the U.S. In other words, officials were process- Powo t Raves Lauren SALE UP TO 30% OFF SELECTED FALL / WINTER MENSWEAR, WOMENSWEAR AND BOYSWEAR. THE POLO STORE VANCOUVER - ‘THE LANDING 375 WATER ST. (604) 682-7656 VICTORIA ~ 1200 GOVERNMENT ST. (250) 381-7656 ing applications in Los Angeles with almost 95% from OVerseas. Lai’s application was processed by a U.S. citizen hired by our consulate in 1988. According to Bissett’s report, this employee asked another officer to run Lai’s file past immigration officers in Hong Kong. This apparent- ly was not done. Had Hong Kong been asked about Lai, reams of information would have been prov ided to Los Angeles and Lai’s application refused. This is the essential point of the whole matter. Why was this not done? Bissett’s report doesn ‘t answer the most important question and in fact, the very raison d’etre for his inquiry. Nor does Bissett answer how Lai's application gor approved in three months when the average in Los Angeles at the time was nine months. Especially in view of the “overwork” excuse, this scems to be a salient question which strikes at the heart of the matter. Robillard is hoping the Bissett report and its conclu- sion of overwork, will bring to an end the criticism of the Lai matter. Gross incompetence cr corruption? The question still remains unanswered. tknight@direct.ca -—- The North Shore News believes strongly in freedom of speech and the right of all sides ina debate to be heard. The columnists published in the News present differing points of view, bur those views are not necessarily those of the newspa- per itself. Lube, oil & filter change All sernces. Reg. $28.95 Pennzoil 10W30 fully warranty Not vaid vain atrer offers approved 4362 Marine Drive 980-9115 Mon-Sat 8:30am-€.30pm. Sun. 9 00am-5:00pm Expwes Dec. 2/97 Jesus IS The Ecernal Son of God who became human for the salvation of the world. This is what christians believe. If you want to learn more, we warmly welcome you. NORTH LONSDALE UNITED Worship, & Sunday School 10: 30 am ” 3380 Lonsdale & 985-4911 SPEED KILLING OS. Sense Read Pl Part of the Provincial Road Safety Program. These specially ordered Cherokees include AG, sport decor pkg, mats, AM/FM cassette, p/mirrors, root rack, 6 cyl 186hp engine & much more! Chrysler's discount superstore MMi Gold Key Lease based on 30 month term with $2.50 down or equivalent trade + taxes O.A.C. TP. $10,370. Sub vented lease in Keu of RDA