Report: Canada pipeline blast terror act

DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- A former Canadian intelligence official disagrees with the Mounties and says a weekend gas pipeline bombing in British Columbia was an act of terror.

The blast overnight Saturday in Dawson Creek, near the northeastern border with Alberta was discovered Sunday by a hunter. A 6-foot crater was beneath the pipe where it emerges from the ground. The sour gas pipe didn't rupture but its insulation was blown off.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokesman Sgt. Tim Shields told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. the force wasn't labeling the blast a terrorist act.

"We just don't want to start using the word terrorism at this point. It gives credence and maybe satisfaction to the people who are involved in setting this explosive off," he said.

However, former Canadian Security and Intelligence Service analyst David Harris said it was a textbook example of terrorism.

"How on Earth anyone could declare this was not terrorism at this early stage is beyond me," he told the broadcaster. "Terrorism is associated with an attempt by threat or actual violence ... to change policy."

Last week, a local newsletter received a written demand that oil and gas activities in the area must stop, although no specific threat was in the letter, the report said.