28 May 2003
Western Hemisphere Transportation Ministers Pledge to Combat Terrorism
(Regional officials decry misuse of transport systems by terrorists) (600) By Eric Green Washington File Staff Writer Washington -- Western Hemisphere transportation ministers have pledged to work together to combat all forms of terrorism, adding that they condemn, "in the strongest terms, the misuse of any part of a country's transport system or its infrastructure for acts of terrorism." In a joint statement released following their May 7-9 meeting in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico, the ministers said they resolved "to take all necessary measures within our respective authorities to prevent a reoccurrence" of terrorist attacks similar to the September 11, 2001, attacks against the United States. The ministers added that in "recognizing the challenges" facing the region's transportation systems, and in recognizing also the importance of awareness and preparedness, "we reiterate our commitment to work together to improve transportation safety and security" through the Western Hemisphere Transportation Initiative (WHTI). In making that commitment, the ministers said they will continue to "pay particular attention to the needs of small, island, and developing states." The WHTI is a product of the Summit of the Americas process, which provides the United States and its hemispheric partners a way to address common political, economic, and social issues. Brazil is the current chair of the WHTI, with the United States and Costa Rica serving as co-chairs. "When it comes to safety" in transportation, "we can never rest on our past achievements -- it is a never-ending job because we continue to experience growth in all modes of transportation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, addressing a WHTI conference in 2001. "Working together, we can improve the transportation safety and security of our nations' people while providing the keys to economic and social advancement." Representing the United States at the recent Mexico conference was Deputy Secretary of Transportation Michael Jackson. The deputy secretary led a discussion on transportation security, in which he emphasized the need for international cooperation on transportation issues. He also offered to share information on the lessons learned by the U.S. government as it dealt with the crisis caused by the 2001 attacks against the United States. Jackson expressed U.S. support for the WHTI and his personal commitment to advance the WHTI agenda. During the conference, Jackson held bilateral and multilateral consultations on transportation issues with his colleagues from Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico. Besides the transportation ministers from the countries of the hemisphere, conference participants included the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Organization of American States. In their statement, the ministers said that a transportation network that is "efficient and integrated, free of avoidable safety and security risks, and sensitive to the environment" is "essential" for improving trade and providing for basic services, "and thus to [regional] prosperity and economic development." They stressed that the trade and social goals of the Summit of the Americas "cannot be pursued without due consideration being given to the region's transportation services and infrastructure." The ministers also acknowledged that the environmental effects of transportation can have serious implications on public health and quality of life, as well as for trade opportunities. In particular, they said that since emissions from motor vehicles "are one of the principal sources of air pollution, we encourage the development and application of environment-friendly technologies in road transport, and express our commitment to adopt and adhere to the highest practicable vehicle emissions standards." Brazil has offered to host the next WHTI ministerial meeting in 2005. (The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
