Pranksters send emails in Canadian PM's name

OTTAWA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Office has asked Canada's secretive electronic counter-espionage police to investigate how someone might have gained access to a government Internet service to send spoof emails in Harper's name.

At least two prank emails were issued Sunday to scores of people signed onto the prime minister's email service, including foreign correspondents.

One of the messages suggests Harper's recognition of Kosovo's independence could lead to Quebec sovereignty.

The other begins with the greeting, "Hi The Average Canadian, Stephen Harper wanted to tell you" that he intends to destroy health care, make Canada the 51st U.S. state, is beholden to the Alberta tar sands, and dislikes all things green except for the almighty American dollar.

Elected in 2006, Harper has been accused of following the Bush administration too closely, and protecting the oil industry while ignoring Canada's obligations under the Kyoto Protocol which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The notes were sent to an email address that automatically distributes messages to people who have signed onto the PMO listserv mailing list.

The jokesters would not necessarily have needed to hack into government computers to perform their stunt; all they would have required was the listserv's email address.

Members of the public are able to join the mailing list by visiting the prime minister's website at www.pm.gc.ca.

A spokesman for Harper said Monday the Privy Council Office, the bureaucratic wing of the MO, has contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE),asking them to track down the source of the emails. The CSE has the dual role of electronic eavesdropping and protection of federal computer systems.