US-Canadian report calls for closer defense cooperation

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) — A US-Canadian military planning group called for government agreements to break down obstacles to forging a continental defense against terrorism and other catastrophic threats.

Barriers to intelligence sharing, bureaucratic disconnects and incompatible communications systems were among the problems cited by the report.

The Bi-National Planning Group, which prepared the report, was created after the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States with the aim of improving coordination and planning between the US and Canadian militaries.

Leaders of both countries want to move towards a continental approach to defense and security, the report said, but "this political intent has not yet been fully translated into measureable initiatives...