By Bob Mackin

Published July 28, 2009 10:57 am |

VANCOUVER- British Columbia's minister of state for intergovernmental affairs wants to keep the border with Washington State "thin," especially during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

"I'm hoping that maybe there is some way that people with Olympic tickets can be pre-cleared somehow, so that they can get through quickly," rookie Liberal MLA Naomi Yamamoto said Monday in Blaine, Wash.

Yamamoto, however, said she did not plan to discuss the idea with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano.

Yamamoto joined Napolitano and Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire Monday for a tour of the Customs and Border Protection Olympic Coordination Centre at Bellingham International Airport and the Peace Arch crossing construction site.

A 2007 DHS report to Congress forecast U.S.-bound border traffic at Games-time would be 25 per cent more than in summer. Congressman Rick Larsen said CBP is committed to opening 10 customs booths to traffic during the Games at Peace Arch, despite the ongoing construction.

"We feel pretty confident," Larsen said.

The Olympic Coordination Centre is a communications and planning facility for 40 military, police and emergency agencies. Vancouver's World Police and Fire Games will serve as a dress rehearsal for the Olympics.

"We plan for the worst, we hope for the best," Napolitano said. "I'm looking forward to a great and successful Games."

Napolitano would not comment about the U.S. military presence in B.C. during the Olympics.

Bob Mackin writes for Vancouver 24 Hours