CSIS 'knew' of bomb plot: Air India witnesses

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service appeared to know about a bomb plot days before Air India Flight 182 blew up in 1985, two witnesses testified Thursday at the inquiry into the disaster.
Former justice department lawyer Graham Pinos recalled a conversation he had with senior CSIS official Mel Deschenes on June 19, 1985, four days before the bombing, while they were in Los Angeles attending international hearings on terrorism.
Pinos told the inquiry in Ottawa that he and Deschenes, a former CSIS counterterrorism director, discussed a number of items — including Sikh extremists — while relaxing poolside at their hotel.
"He perceived them as being dangerous and likely to bring a plane down," said Pinos. "I have an absolutely clear recollection of the circumstances. It was something that shocked me."
After hearing that Flight 182 had blown up over the coast of Ireland en route from Canada to India, killing all 329 people on board, Pinos said he immediately linked it to the conversation with Deschenes.
"I said holy expletive, they knew, they knew," Pinos testified.
Pinos acknowledged he has no proof the conversation was connected to the bombing, which investigators later blamed on extremists who wanted India to create an independent Sikh homeland. However, Pinos told the inquiry that he relied on his years of experience and gut instinct in forming his opinion.
"I had a distinct impression they knew," said Pinos.
He also said national security restrictions limited his testimony before the inquiry, which is looking into the Air India investigation and prosecution.
17/05/07 CBC British Columbia, Canada

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Categories: Air India May 2007, Foreign May 2007, Safety May 2007