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| U.S., Mexico Set Plan For a 'Smart Border' |
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Posted by FoM on March 23, 2002 at 07:38:58 PT By Kevin Sullivan, Washington Post Foreign Service Source: Washington Post 
X-rays and laser scans, computerized databases and speedy immigration lines for Americans, Mexicans and Canadians at one another's airports -- those are some of the border security improvements envisioned in a "smart border" plan adopted here today by President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox.The plan, similar to one signed in December between the United States and Canada, is a comprehensive attempt to reconcile post-Sept. 11 security concerns with the need to keep commerce moving freely between the United States and its second-largest trading partner. "We will build a border that protects our societies against those who would do us harm, and that truly serves the human and economic needs of our dynamic relationship," Bush and Fox said in a joint statement. "We share a vision of a modern border that speeds the legitimate flow of people and commerce, and filters out all that threatens our safety and prosperity." Mexican and U.S. officials said they are working to create a common list of countries whose citizens must obtain visas before visiting the United States, Mexico or Canada, as well as harmonizing criteria on which visas are issued. Ultimately, they said, it should be impossible for a person denied a visa by one country to successfully reapply in either of the two others. Mexico and the United States already share some information on visa applicants. But the plan envisions a much broader exchange. Both countries would be able to see whether an applicant has ever sought a visa to either country at an embassy or consulate anywhere in the world, in part to thwart terrorists from trying to enter the United States. "Our common border must be closed to drugs and terrorists and open to trade and legitimate travel," Bush said at a joint news conference with Fox. Much of the plan focuses on reducing delays and smoothing the flow of commerce across the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border. More than 300 million people a year cross the border, the vast majority of whom live near the border and cross daily to go to work or school. The United States last year issued 5 million "laser" identification cards to people who cross the border frequently. Those cards, which replaced old paper ID cards, were designed to keep people and commerce moving quickly. But the U.S. government has still not provided scanners to read the cards. Other technology along the border remains spotty. Some crossings have computers and cameras that automatically read and record license plates. Others, like the one Bush visited Thursday in El Paso, have X-ray machines that scan the contents of trucks. The plan announced today envisions additional express lanes with computers and cameras, but for now, many crossings rely on little more than a border agent's judgment. Enrique Berruga, a top Mexican official who helped draft the plan, said it calls for the United States to permit "pre-certification" of about 500 companies in Mexico involved in high-volume exports to the United States. Those companies would pack containers with goods at their plants in Mexico, then electronically seal the containers. U.S. officials said the trucks carrying the goods would be given express treatment at the border, but would still be subject to random inspections. The plan also calls for officials to study the possibility of creating new express immigration lines at airports in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the signers of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. People from those three nations would be allowed to use the express "NAFTA Lanes." Note: Security, Efficiency Are Top Concerns. Source: Washington Post (DC) Related Articles: Border Agents Are Finding Drugs Canada Battling 'Weak Link' Perception What Can Be Done at the Border? Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #7 posted by dddd on March 24, 2002 at 03:17:21 PT |
| ..by once again rambling on about my scenario for the internet doom......Notice the bigtime media saturation for the supposedly huge kiddy-porn busts,,reporting thousands of alleged cyber-perverts being hauled in...priests ,,cops,,teachers,,judges,,if you believe the "news"the internet was a hotbed of drooling deviates,,but the government operation "???",(I forget the name),has cleaned up these sleazeballs,and is anxious to continue to hunt down more suspected suspects..........OK....think about it. .. ..What does this mean?,,,well,for one thing,it means they have made it seem normal and legitimate for the new cyberpigs to snoop anywhere on the internet in the hunt for ANYONE,who may download an unapproved picture that appears "underage"......like the war on terror,the public is being primed to think it's normal,and necessary for the internet to be regulated,and controlled.The mechanisms of software,and hardware that allow explicit survielance are in place.....I hope no one is too suprized when phase two of internet control takes place,and the news reports come in about 'Operation Childsaver" ,,,claiming to be shutting down sites that tell teens how to make methlabs near day-care centers, and shutting down sites that may have given informartion that encouraged or condoned the use of illegal drugs.... The usual grainy pictures of some of the operators or owners of these childkiller drug websites,that lured teens into using drugs,,pictures of some young teens,who were supposed victims,,,drawn in by these websites,and dying of overdoses due to the predators who run such sites,,luring innocent and unknowing teens into thinking that drugs are harmless.... ..I know,,it may sound farfetched to some,,but I predict that the internet will be "tamed" in about five years from now.It will be alot likea sort of mandatory AOL thing........dddd [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by qqqq on March 24, 2002 at 01:08:56 PT |
| ....I'm glad you asked Lehder....here's the unfortunate negative outlook from the bitter old 4Q...It's good to remain hopeful,and try to look at the brite side,,,'counting ones blessings',is always a good thing,,or,as a negative person like me would say;"Things could be way more fucked".....but if ya wanna take a look at the big picture,,it really does not look too promising...I mean,let's take a good look at the trend....we have seen astonishing changes in our government,,,,rulers have emerged......One of the largest financial crimes in history occurs ,,and no one goes to jail..(Enron..Texas..?)....Huge monopolies own the media and phones,and are nearing total ownership of internet access..We have a war machine that is in high gear.No one really knows what covert activities are going on around the globe.,,,,,getting water will be a global problem in about ten years.,,an iceberg ,bigger than some US states just broke off of Antarctica........nope....it aint pretty....but all this doesnt mean we should spend our time wallowing in some depressed state of hopeless doom worries,,,,quite the contrary....no matter what,,just being alive is a very special thing!....You only get to be alive once ,,(as far as anyone knows for sure),,,and life here on Earth should be considered a rather special and unique priveledge....you know,,even if the Earth is headed for a meltdown,and future catastrophic apocolyptic catacysmic horrible destruction,,,,,we gotta keep on keepin' on. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 23, 2002 at 21:09:05 PT |
| It would be hard for me to explain what I think because I have different thoughts on different issues. I believe we are doing the right thing trying to get the current drug laws modified. I know we must try. Life goes on and visions should not be stopped not even because of the terrible events of 9-11.
The world issues are so complex. Colombia and where it will take us is a flashback to Vietnam. The Rebels are like the Viet Cong were. They know how to survive. I worry about the draft for young men. It was very hard to grow up during those days when falling in love and wanting to start your own life were very important. Death of young men and women in war will always bother me. I am very concerned about this war becoming a world wide religious war. That get's real scary and Armageddon is something that comes to my mind. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by Lehder on March 23, 2002 at 20:19:45 PT |
| I really would like to hear about where you think we are headed. I wonder too. I look hard for grounds for optimism but am never able to convince myself. To see what's about to happen here I look at what is presently happening in Colombia, Peru, El Salvador, Zimbabwe. It is in their persecutions and destructions that tyrants find the truth of their words and the proof of their own worth and wisdom. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 23, 2002 at 16:26:42 PT |
| In a little over six months so much has happened. It's almost like a bad dream but it's real. I won't even begin to type what I feel is happening and where we are headed. What I think is something out of a horror book. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by Lehder on March 23, 2002 at 16:10:54 PT |
| The USA PATRIOT Act takes effect in two days. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by The GCW on March 23, 2002 at 07:43:29 PT |
| since the price of cannabis has gone up. [ Post Comment ] |
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