[news] CSIS tried bribe: activist

[ron]

From: sabate <sabate at ziplip.com>

CSIS tried bribe: activist

Cash for names. Fellow member of left-wing party target of questioning

MIKE KING

The Gazette
Friday, January 09, 2004

Canada's spy agency tried bribing a Quebec left-wing political party 
member into providing information on fellow anti-globalization activists 
this week, the approached man claimed yesterday.

Guillaume Tremblay, a candidate for the Union des forces progressistes 
in last spring's provincial elections, told reporters he was visited at 
his St. Jean sur Richelieu home Wednesday by two Canadian Security 
Intelligence Service agents.

"They made it clear I would get paid if I was ready to co-operate, 
although no exact amounts were given," Tremblay said. "They wanted 
names, phone numbers and addresses" of other like-minded militants.

In questioning by the male and female investigators, who identified 
themselves as terrorist experts for CSIS, Tremblay said, he was asked 
specifically about UFP colleague Amir Khadir and social activist Jaggi 
Singh. The visit lasted about 20 minutes.

Tremblay said he was surprised to find the agents had a file on him and 
his activities with the Quebec-based civil-disobedience group Operation 
SalAMI.

Before leaving, "they said it would be to my advantage not to talk to 
any left-wing groups like mine" about their visit.

Tremblay and Khadir instead called the news conference to denounce the 
CSIS action and publicly demand an explanation from Deputy Prime 
Minister Anne McLellan, who is also the chief minister for emergency 
preparedness (which includes overseeing CSIS) and public safety.

Alex Swann, a special assistant to McLellan in Ottawa, confirmed 
yesterday his office had received a copy of the UFP statement.

He said he couldn't discuss any specific CSIS operation, but noted CSIS 
is governed by legislation, and there is a process for citizens to 
appeal actions by CSIS.