Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 11

CANADA TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2003 A1 1 EDMONTON JOURNAL Support for same-sex union linked to attack which left Liberal MP bruised Canada-US. trade must reflect border security needs Manley U.S. warned against repeat of Arar affair Ji- RICHARD FOOT CdnWest News Service STKVKN F.I) WARDS CcinWenf News Service NKW YORK 4 it Brunswick Liberal MP Andy a former solicitor general, is re A 6 6 1 Iitting Andy Scott isn't acceptable but a lot of people around here don't like him. 9 9 Corrinc Curtis, whose husband is charged with assaulting Member of Parliament Andy Scott i THE CANADIAN PKItf Terry Curtis, left, leaves the provincial courthouse after appearing on charges of assaulting MP Andy Scott, right. Icy said.

Prime minister-designate Paul Martin, who is keen to improve relations with the U.S., has not been as direct. Martin said last week that Arar's account of torture in a Syrian prison is "tragic and very, very compelling," adding that "we've got to make sure that this kind of an issue does not arise ever again." Manley, whose cabinet future under Martin is unclear, said in New York that Canada seeks a "clear understanding" from the U.S. that such a situation will not repeat itself. Manley, who is also finance minister, was in New York to give American business leaders, financiers and academics die traditional annual report of the state of the Canadian economy. He also spoke about efforts to make the border more secure.

I le told the audience of about 60 at the Council of the Americas that the best hope for preventing terrorism in North America lay in intense co-operation between U.S. and Canadian intelligence and law enforcement authorities. Deputy Prime Minister John Manley warned the United States on Monday that its failure to admit it erred in deporting Maher Arar to Syria was a "serious impediment" to intensive security co-operation with the Americans. The deportation of Arar, a Syrian-Canadian, to Jordan and then Syria has further strained relations between Ottawa and Washington. Because Manley delivered it in New York, it has greater symbolic impact than anything said in Canada.

Arar was arrested and deported in September 2002 while travelling through JFK Airport in New York. He is suing Syria and Jordan for the abuse he suffered during his year-long imprisonment. There needed to be a "greater exchange of information and a (building) of confidence both ways" to set up what some would call "zonal security," Man- covering at home after he was attacked and beaten in his constituency office in downtown Fredericton on Saturday morning. The man accused of the assault is a longtime acquaintance of Scott's who grew up in the same neighbourhood as the MP and who is an active opponent of the federal government's new same-sex marriage legislation. Terry Curtis, a 48-year-old photographer and graphic designer, appeared jn court Monday charged with assault, issuing death threats and causing damage to Scott's office.

He remains in cus-l tody until a court appearance on Friday. 1 jThere were no witnesses to theattacic. Police say Scott dialed 911 afterthe attack. Scott's wife said he was convalescing at home with cuts and bruises on his face. Scott's executive assistant, Andrew Holland, said numerous colleagues and well-wishers called Scott on Monday offering support, including federal Liberal Leader Paul Martin, with whom Scott has closely allied himself in recent years.

Scott and his staff are declining to discuss the incident. But, in an interview Monday, Corinne Curtis said her husband has been feud- Curtis said she too had many calls of support Monday.Tve had people calling me all day and saying, Tm going to buy Terry a "Hitting Andy Scott isn't acceptable, but a lot of people around here don't like him." Scott, a one-time assistant to former New Brunswick premier Frank McKen-na, was first elected to Parliament in 1993. Prime Minister Jean Chretien made him solicitor general in 1997 however, Scott was forced to leave cabinet the following year after he was overheard musing about a plan to pin blame on an RCMP sergeant for the pepper-spraying of protesters at the APEC summit in Vancouver. After years of working to shore up sup-portmNewBrujiswickforMartin's leadership bid, Scott is considered a likely candidate for a job in a Martin cabinet. ing with Scott for many years.

Their latest dispute revolves around Scott's decision earlier this year, as chairman of Parliament's justice and human rights committee; to vote against recommending a federal government appeal of an Ontario court ruling that same-sex marriage is legal. "Terry has strong religious beliefs and he's opposed to that issue," she said. A self-employed graphic artist, Curtis has been printing posters emblazoned with Scott's face and with the words: "Liberals ye shall know them by their fruit" Corinne Curtis said for several months her husband has been hanging the posters around Fredericton and taking them to Scott's constituency office. Convenient Home Delivery Call 498-5500 1-800-249-4695 EIMINIH jQuim MEPHISTO Exclusively Mephisto Finest Shoes For Men Ladies it ft I i A Hi tf FROM $149 MICHAEL ANTHONY i a i Lower Level Kingsway Garden Mall Ph: 780-479-2740 IB? I 1 r' WEST 1100 Maylield Common W. TEL: (780) 944-9600 SOUTH 400.81 70-50 SI.

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