[It toohem how long?

Reuters

Nov. 27

— OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government, acting after prolonged pressure from the parliamentary opposition, on Wednesday banned the Palestinian militant movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad as well as four other groups for what it said was involvement "in terrorist activity."

Members of the military arm of Hamas, the Islamic militant group, have taken part in suicide attacks which have killed dozens of people in Israel. Islamic Jihad said it had staged the ambush which killed 12 Israelis earlier this month.

"The decision to list an entity is a very serious one and listing carries severe consequences -- not only for terrorists, but also for their supporters," Solicitor-General Wayne Easter said in a statement.

"This list is just one example of the many steps this government has taken in the global effort to shut down terrorism financing. And we will keep adding to this list, as we have done today."

The opposition Canadian Alliance party has long called for the banning of Hamas but Ottawa has so far brushed off demands to outlaw the Lebanese guerrilla group Hizbollah.

The other groups Ottawa banned on Wednesday were:

-- the Islamic Army of Aden, which U.S. authorities say has expressed support for Osama bin Laden and bombed targets to promote its goal of overthrowing the Yemeni government

-- the Pakistan-based Harakat ul-Mujahidin, which is fighting India's rule in the disputed Kashmir region

-- the Pakistan-based Islamic militant organization Jaish-e-Mohammed

-- the Lebanese-based Asbat Al-Ansar, which Beirut has accused of planning attacks in Jordan

In the wake of the Sept. 11 suicide attacks Canada initially listed seven groups as "terrorist" organizations, including bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

Anyone found guilty of handling the property or finances of the 13 outlawed groups faces a number of penalties, including a jail term of up to 10 years.

Copyright 2002 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2002

Answers

gee, maybe Canada should be on our list?

close the borders! ID everyone trying to enter the USA with fingerprints, voice and foot, too. Photograph them. X-ray em. Then send them packing with a "We'll get back to you." Oh, and maybe lose their luggage as well. heh heh

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2002