每次搭乘飛機由加拿大去美國，辦好登機手續後，還要接受在加國境內之美國海關檢查才可登機。這次前往荷屬阿魯巴(Aruba)旅遊，終點不是美國，但由於飛機要在邁阿密(Miami)停留，乘客仍須接受這項繁複的例行手續，無不感到費時誤事，不過敢怒不敢言。
美國海關設在加拿大國境之內的事相信已有相當時日。當初為何有這樣的安排？不再有人關心或追究，因為都習以為常。以往由於自己不是加國公民，經過機場看見這些怪現象時會無動於衷，或視若無睹。不過自從成為了加國公民的一分子後，對同樣事物有着不同的感受，總覺得這種安排有辱國體和侵犯了國家的主權因而難以忍受，甚至怒不可遏。試問美國人民可否接受加拿大海關人員在他們的國土上執行任務？相信他們不能。己所不欲又怎可施之於人，尤其美加兩國人民情同手足！
遊罷阿魯巴後，再前往佛羅里達州時才知道自己孤陋寡聞：殊不知美國在這個島國的國際機場內亦設有海關部門。他們的執法人員無處不在，不停地為美國國家利益效勞，哪還顧得了別國的國體和別國人民的尊嚴？美國的霸氣確是表露無遺！
阿魯巴是一個很小的島國，面積略大於香港島兩倍，人口十萬左右。以往靠煉油業維生。當這項工業沒落後，就全力拓展旅遊業，並成為如今的經濟柱石。美國是最主要的遊客來源，美元成為最受歡迎之貨幣，幾乎取代了荷蘭盾(Florin)的法定貨幣地位。由於阿魯巴在經濟上過份依賴美國，所以對它言聽計從，容許美國海關在境內運作。相信在加勒比海鄰近之小國亦有同樣的安排，美國慣於凌駕於他人之上。
加拿大是個堂堂大國，在不少國際事務上舉足輕重，却和那些微不足道之小國一樣以美國馬首是瞻，令人心寒！
2010/12/21 (2010/12/30 加拿大商報)
David: Remember the impression I mentioned before that it appears to me Canada is becoming another American State or another white dog after UK and Japan. Just wonder how many Canadians are aware of it. Watch " the other special relationship" again @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ2MY58RunM&feature=player_embedded Edmond
ReplyDelete大衛和愛民
ReplyDelete知道又如何.
不用激動或忿忿不平. 美國已經續漸腐化, 再有QE3, QE4也將無效, 將追隨英國日沒西山. 加拿大還不是比他們好好嗎.
要促進的是加拿大和中國的貿易關係, 並設法抑制美元為國際貿易結算貨幣. 做到這點, 美國再不能無理稱霸了.
當然, 中國也要革新, 秉除官商腐敗和陋習, 才能真正強大.
老山
I think you need more research.
ReplyDeleteBA is flying direct from London City Airport to JFK, with fuel stop at Shannon, Ireland. All passengers go through US immigration at Shannon. When they landed in JFK, they are treated as domestic travelers, no further delay at the immigration. From my understanding, the route is very popular with business travelers.
Peter
黃先生，你好，
ReplyDelete得知你們已經安全返回加拿大，希望除了美國海關事以外，一切玩得娛快，美國海關一向霸道，對於持有美國護照的公民，也是一樣對待。問東問西。好像抓賊似的。
祝你闔府耶誕節快樂，
Andy Hu
Just back home from a short trip. yes, the US Immigration check points in Canada are exiting for a long time. I do not know why either may be for safety reason.
ReplyDeletehave a happy holiday to you and your family.
Ann & George
Hi David,
ReplyDelete两篇文章都收到了,很想即時回應,但想起美國佬近年的惡行,真是馨竹難書.
他們仗着有強大的軍事力量,喜歡打誰就打誰,打依拉克是一個典例,開航空母
舟監到中國的黄海耀武揚威........等等行為都顯示出他們的霸道.還有雷曼兄
弟事件,就簡直離譜,這好像是公開地向全世界人民打劫一樣,但他們照樣理直
气壯好像什么事都沒有發生.而令我最气憤的莫如那些死在阿富汗的加軍,寫
到這裡唯有掟筆長嘆!並祝聖旦快樂.
Henry
Hi David
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, we wishing you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I total agreed with you,if you treat America is the international policeman, you will feel better. Ha Ha
Peter
Hi David, 最近賴E猫, 今天才看七天前的電郵, 特別開心看到你大作, 我諗加拿大政府容許美國在加境設海關 喺想慳番啲軍費, 由美國保護 加國政府唔使煩. 哈哈…係我亂咁諗!
ReplyDelete馮
Dear David,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the excellent article.
What you said about Aruba "阿魯巴在經濟上過份依賴美國" also applies to us. We depend on the US for ~ 80% of our total trade. While trade with Canada only represents mid teen percentage for them. I believe our businessmen support the arrangement to save them from lining up together with visitors from the rest of the world, on the other side of the border.
We have felt 美國的霸氣 for a long time. Some politicians understand that the key is to diversify our trade and lessen our dependency on the US market. Pierre Trudeau tried just that. He was one of the very first to recognize China in the Western world. But in the 70s and 80s, China and Asia were poor and the Europeans very protective. Our business class are very risk averse. They like the proximity and the convenience of common language of the US market.
So. Here we are !
sl