22 January 2003
Malaysia Signs On to Container Security Initiative
(U.S. Customs January 21 Press Release) (770)
The Malaysian government has agreed in principle to participate in the
U.S. Customs Container Security Initiative (CSI), according to a
January 21 news release from the U.S. Customs Service.
CSI is a U.S. Customs initiative designed to prevent the smuggling of
terrorists or terrorist weapons in ocean-going cargo containers into
the United States.
Customs Service officers will soon be stationed at the Malaysian ports
of Klang and Tanjung Pelepas, according to the U.S. Customs Service.
Launched by U.S. Customs in January 2002, CSI consists of four core
elements: using automated information to identify and target high-risk
containers; pre-screening those containers identified as high-risk
before they arrive at U.S. ports; using detection technology to
quickly pre-screen high-risk containers; and using smarter, tamper
proof containers.
"(Malaysia agreeing to join CSI) is an important step, not only for
the protection of trade between the U.S. and Malaysia, but for the
protection of the most critical component of the world trading system
as a whole -- containerized cargo," said U.S. Customs Commissioner
Robert C. Bonner.
Following is the text of the January 21 Customs press release:
(begin text)
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
Malaysia Signs Declaration of Principles to Join U.S. Customs
Container Security Initiative, Strengthening Anti-Terror Coalition
WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Customs Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Datuk
Abdul Halil Bin Abdul Mutalib, Director-General of Customs of the
Government of Malaysia, today announced that the government of
Malaysia has agreed to participate in the U.S. Customs Container
Security Initiative (CSI). Director-General Datuk Abdul Halil Bin
Abdul Mutalib and U.S. Customs Service Deputy Commissioner Douglas M.
Browning conducted the signing ceremony on Monday, January 20 at
Putrajaya, Malaysia.
CSI is a U.S. Customs initiative designed to prevent the smuggling of
terrorists or terrorist weapons in ocean-going cargo containers. Under
terms of the declaration announced today, U.S. Customs officers will
be stationed at the ports of Klang and Tanjung Pelepas.
"I am very pleased that the government of Malaysia has agreed to join
with the United States in the Container Security Initiative," said
Commissioner Bonner. "We recognize the high volume of trade between
the Ports of Klang and Tanjung Pelepas and seaports in the U.S. and
Malaysia's role as an intermodal transport hub for cargo originating
in many countries. This is an important step, not only for the
protection of trade between the U.S. and the government of Malaysia,
but for the protection of the most critical component of the world
trading system as a whole - containerized cargo."
Globally, over 48 million full cargo containers move between major
seaports each year. Each year, more than 16 million containers arrive
in the United States by ship, truck, and rail.
"We recognize the importance to deter and interdict any terrorist
attempt to disrupt global trade or to attempt to make use of
commercial shipping to further their own schemes, "said Datuk Abdul
Halil Bin Abdul Mutalib, Director-General of Customs of the Government
of Malaysia. The CSI initiative supports the "Cooperative G8 Action on
Transport Security" adopted by G8 in June 2002.
Launched by U.S. Customs in January 2002, CSI consists of four core
elements. These include: (1) using automated information to identify
and target high-risk containers; (2) pre-screening those containers
identified as high-risk before they arrive at U.S. ports; (3) using
detection technology to quickly pre-screen high-risk containers; and
(4) using smarter, tamper proof containers.
The initial objective is to implement CSI at the ports that send large
volumes of cargo containers into the United States, in a way that will
facilitate detection of potential security concerns at their earliest
possible opportunity.
One element of CSI involves placing U.S. Customs inspectors at foreign
seaports to target and pre-screen U.S.-bound cargo containers before
they are shipped to America.
"We are in the process of getting CSI implemented in those ports that
have signed on. We have deployed and will continue to deploy teams to
the participating ports as quickly as possible, "Commissioner Bonner
said. "We are looking to expand CSI beyond the top 20 ports, as
rapidly as we can. Once we have implemented CSI at most of the top 20
ports, we will quickly expand CSI to all ports that ship substantial
amounts of cargo to the United States, and that have the
infrastructure and technology in place to participate in the program."
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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