17 December 2004
United States, Canada Cite Progress on Border Security Plan
Homeland Security's Ridge says implementation progress is significant
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan met in Detroit on December 16 to highlight progress on the implementation of the Smart Border Action Plan for enhancing security along their two countries' common border.
The 32-point plan is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation to enhance security while also facilitating legitimate travel and commerce between the United States and Canada.
Ridge and his Canadian counterpart released the fifth joint status report on the U.S.-Canadian Smart Border Action Plan December 16. At a joint press conference that same day, Ridge indicated that the report "clearly shows the significant progress we have achieved together on 32 action items."
The accomplishments Ridge cited included the opening of seven new free and secure trade (FAST) sites along the U.S.-Canada border, the Safe Third Country Agreement, and the expansion of U.S. pre-clearance facilities to Halifax.
The Safe Third Country Agreement is a pact between the United States and Canada that would require refugees claim protection in the first safe country to which they arrive. The agreement is intended to prevent "asylum shopping" (filing asylum claims in both countries), a practice that ties up resources needed to deal with claims from those in genuine need of refugee protection. The pact has not yet been implemented.
He added that although the United States and Canada have achieved much together, there is much more to do -- including work on biometrics and prescreening standards, information and intelligence sharing, maritime and cargo security, and joint facilities and infrastructure investments.
"Together, as neighbors, partners and friends, we can make our homelands safe and free for generations to come," Ridge said.
Following is the text of Ridge's prepared remarks at the December 16 press conference:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Press Release
December 16, 2004
REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TOM RIDGE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH CANADIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ANNE MCLELLAN
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
December 16, 2004
Many thanks to Deputy Prime Minister McLellan, her team and our Canadian partners. You have long been wonderful partners, but especially so since the tragedy of 9/11. We have accomplished a great deal together and set the foundation for future achievements. The Detroit-Windsor Gateway is a symbol of the close relationship of our two nations.
Our meetings today help us better understand how we can work together to improve our coordination and collaboration -- how we can add layers of security while at the same time encourage and facilitate the flow and goods and people across our shared border.
We seek the safe passage of goods and people across our borders -- across the Ambassador Bridge, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, the Blue Water Bridge, the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry and through the air. We strive to continue to grow and protect our nations' interdependent economies and the freedom underpinning them.
Together, we will secure our shared infrastructure and our citizens from those who would do us harm.
This requires the combined effort of all levels of both of our governments -- from local to federal. It requires committed business leaders, dedicated first responders, local companies, local officials -- all coming together with a common purpose. This commitment, dedication and partnership help build the foundation for our future security and vitality.
Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and I released the fifth joint status report on the US-Canadian Smart Border Action Plan, which clearly shows the significant progress we have achieved together on 32 action items.
The seven new FAST sites, in addition to the 12 already operational, our Safe Third Country Agreement, and the agreement to expand U.S. pre-clearance facilities to Halifax are recent accomplishments that facilitate trade and travel while also adding increased layers of protection for our countries.
There is much we have achieved together and much more work to do -- in biometrics and prescreening standards, interoperable communication, sharing information and intelligence, in maritime and cargo security, more FAST lanes, joint facilities and infrastructure investments.
We also support the private sector's efforts to reduce transit times by 25 percent in the Detroit-Windsor Gateway. This will require the effort of the entire community. DHS will do its part. And if all stakeholders are involved -- bridge, tunnel and ferry operators; exporters and importers; and governments at all levels, on both sides of the border -- we can achieve that goal. We can build barriers to terrorists and bridges to one another. We can eliminate gaps that our enemies could otherwise exploit.
Together, as neighbors, partners and friends, we can make our homelands safe and free for generations to come. Again, my thanks to Deputy Prime Minister McLellan and all of our neighbors to the north who work daily to mitigate our shared risks and secure our shared border.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=December&x=20041217173513ASrelliM0.3001367&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
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