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Lawmakers Criticize U.S. Shipping Measures
The U.S. Homeland Security Department has reduced inspections of U.S.-bound cargo from 36 international ports and 5,000 importers certified under its antiterrorism initiatives, but has failed to confirm whether those entities have actually tightened security, the New York Times reported today (see GSN, May 4). “We have folks here who have the right intentions,” said Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), chairman of a panel scheduled to hold a hearing on the programs tomorrow. “But rather than making it harder for folks with evil intentions to do harm to this country, we have in place a system that creates the potential for greater vulnerability.” Until last month, importers enrolled in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism were automatically designated as a lower security risk. However, so many businesses signed up that thousands of the preferential security clearances were granted without verifying whether the companies had improved security measures, said Todd Owen, director of the program. “It is very troubling to me,” said Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. “If in fact it is a hollow program, then oddly enough that increases our vulnerability.” The ports program also has significant weaknesses, according to members of Congress and shipping experts. Since late 2002, 40,628 U.S.-bound containers have been deemed high risk, and about 10 percent were not inspected prior to shipment, Customs officials said. In addition, the Energy Department has completed installing radiation equipment in only two of the world’s largest ports, government auditors said (Eric Lipton, New York Times, May 25).
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