A North American security perimeter on the horizon

Dana Gabriel
Online Journal
Monday , January 11th, 2010

NAFTA has extended from economic integration into a political and
regional security pact which has been achieved through the Security and
Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America, Plan Mexico, as well as
other initiatives. Various pieces of legislation and reports, along
with influential individuals have called for closer trilateral
cooperation regarding common rules for immigration and security
enforcement around the perimeter of the continent. A major part of the
U.S. security agenda already includes the defense of North America, but
a full blown security zone would bring Canada and Mexico further under
U.S. control. A Fortress North America poses a serious threat to our
sovereignty and would mean the loss of more civil liberties.

Plans for a North America security perimeter might have seemed like
a pipe dream just a short time ago, but it could become a reality
sooner than one thinks. Some believe that a perimeter approach to
security would be a more effective way of providing safety while
ensuring the free flow of trade and investment. For those pushing for
deep continental integration, this move is seen as the next logical
step. A recent article from the Toronto Star, Canada warms to idea of a tougher ‘perimeter’,
suggests that Canadians might now be ready to debate the idea of
perimeter security. David Biette who specializes in U.S.-Canada
relations and is a member of the Woodrow Wilson Center stated that a,
“Perimeter is no longer a dirty word. It’s beginning to
come up again, at least in academic circles.” He went on to say,
“Canada held back when it first came up and I can certainly
understand why. There was still such bad feeling left over on free
trade and what that might mean for Canadian sovereignty that perimeter
security was just not palatable to Canadians.” Biette also added,
“You ask yourself, ‘What would a mutually improved
relationship look like?’ and really, there is nothing else.
Perimeter is the one big thing – the last truly huge step on the
horizon.” A North American security perimeter would be one of the
final steps needed in the creation of a North American Union.

Some of the recommendations from the 2005 report, Building a North American Community co-sponsored
by the Council on Foreign Relations, included a unified border, a North
American border pass, a single economic space, as well as a common
security perimeter by 2010. Many of the task force recommendations in
areas of trade, transportation, energy, immigration and security became
part of the SPP agenda. Despite the demise of the SPP, many of its key
objectives continue to move forward under the North American Leaders
Summit, as well as through other initiatives. In February of 2009, it
was reported that former Canadian international trade and foreign
affairs minister, David Emerson,
“called on the government to aggressively seek stronger
Canada-U.S. ties, up to and including a customs union. He said at
minimum, Canada should advocate a North American security perimeter
arrangement, a labour mobility agreement that modernizes NAFTA
provisions, and greater integration on regulatory matters.” U.S.
officials remain concerned on how risk assessments of people entering
Canada are conducted as well as the differences in its immigration and
visa policies. A common perimeter approach to border management and
security would require harmonization of Canadian-U.S. immigration and
customs standards.

It was clear before Obama became president that he wished to relax
immigration restrictions with Mexico and supported some sort of amnesty
program. In mid-December of last year, H.R. 4321
the Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASAP Act of 2009 was introduced in
the House of Representatives. The Obama administration has been
criticized for its lack of immigration enforcement. Many have warned
that the new legislation would not only grant amnesty to millions of
illegal aliens, but also increase legal immigration and create more
loopholes in the system. In Sec. 143. Reports on Improving the Exchange
of Information on North American Security, there is wording which could
further promote deep continental integration. This includes yearly
status reports, “in developing and implementing an immigration
security strategy for North America that works toward the development
of a common security perimeter.” Previous failed security and
immigration bills also contained similar language referring to a shared
security perimeter around the continent.

The Merida Initiative, also known as Plan Mexico is an extension of
NAFTA and has its roots in the SPP. It is based on America’s
failed war on drugs, which has been costly and ineffective. The Merida
Initiative relies primarily on military and law enforcement solutions
and is advancing police state measures. In a recent interview, Laura Carlsen
director of the Americas Policy Program in Mexico City described how
Plan Mexico, “was designed in Washington as a way to ‘push
out the borders’ of the US security perimeter, that is, that
Mexico would take on US security priorities including policing its
southern border and allowing US companies and agents into
Mexico’s intelligence and security operations.” She also
commented that, “The Obama administration has supported the plan
and even requested, and received from Congress, additional funds beyond
what the Bush administration requested.” The Plan Mexico strategy
is working towards the development of a common security perimeter and
is further encouraging the militarization of Mexico. Continued drug
violence in the country could be used as a pretext to set up a North
American security perimeter

The recent foiled terrorist attack on Christmas day is accelerating
the implementation of a high-tech control grid which could restrict,
track and trace our movements. With the war on terrorism back in the
forefront, the continued merging of North America might include Canada
and Mexico playing a bigger role in regards to perimeter security.
Canadian officials have announced that within the next several months, body scanners
will be installed in 11 airports across the country. Some proponents of
a continental security zone believe that it is the best way to secure
North America, but at the same time falsely claim that this could be
done with respect to each nation’s sovereignty. We are well on
the way towards a North American security perimeter where trade and
investment will be able to roam freely, while we are all forced to
endure new security practices dominated by U.S. interests.