Tribe set to sue so bridge will open

CORNWALL CROSSING: Mohawks say closure of international span was done illegally

By LORI SHULL

TIMES STAFF WRITER

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2009

MASSENA — The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is going to sue Canadian officials to try to get the Seaway International Bridge reopened.

The tribal government on the Canadian side of the Mohawk reservation announced Friday that it plans to take Minister of Public Safety Peter van Loan and Canada Border Service Agency President Stephen Rigby to court to end the stalemate that has had the bridge closed since May 31.

"The decision to close the Cornwall Port of Entry was obviously taken in haste and is illegal and severely detrimental to the interests of the Mohawks of Akwesasne and the surrounding communities that rely on the bridge," a tribal press release said. "It is also contrary to the mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency to facilitate the free flow of persons and goods through the port of entry."

Neither tribal officials nor CBSA officers could be reached for comment.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090627/NEWS05/306279953