U.S. Customs increases
cargo container security
Special to A.M. Costa Rica
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As 90 percent of the world’s cargo moves by container
and 46 percent of all goods entering the United States arrives by ocean-going
cargo containers, the securing of this "most critical link" in the U.S.
and global trading system is at the forefront of the Bush administration's
homeland security strategy, says Customs Commissioner Robert C. Bonner.
In a presentation before the Center for Strategic and International
Studies Monday, Bonner outlined the importance of the U.S. Customs Service's
Container Security Initiative and the progress in implementing it.
The customs chief described the program as a "revolutionary initiative"
and pre-emptive strike against the smuggling of a weapon of mass destruction
in one of the approximately 6 million containers entering U.S. ports annually.
The detonation of such a device in a U.S. port facility is "truly the
sum of all fears," Bonner said. Such an event, he added, would not only
have a devastating human cost, but could potentially cripple the global
economy.
In an effort to more effectively screen these containers, the United
States is entering into partnerships with foreign governments to implement
the Customs Service's Container Security Initiative, Bonner noted.
Among the core elements of the Customs Service's Container Security
Initiative is the identification of high-risk containers. Under the initiative,
U.S. customs officials work with their counterparts in foreign ports to
identify high-risk containers and search these containers before they are
shipped to U.S. ports.
The Customs Service's Container Security Initiative also incorporates
the use of x-ray and gamma-ray technology to pre-screen high-risk containers,
and promotes the use of more secure containers.
The initial goal of the U.S. Customs Service is to sign up the top 20
ports that account for 68 percent of the containers entering the United
States annually. To date, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and
Singapore have agreed to participate in the Center for Strategic and International
Studies, effectively enrolling six of the 20 ports.
Once the top-20 targeted foreign ports have been enrolled in the Center
for Strategic and International Studies, Bonner said that the customs service
will begin to broaden its outreach to incorporate other nations with important
ports into the Center for Strategic and International Studies, including
those in Latin America.
Ecuador to host meeting
on mountain populations
Special to A.M. Costa Rica
QUITO, Ecuador — This city is hosting a World Meeting of Mountain Populations
Sept. 20 to 24 focusing on the problems facing people who live in the higher
regions of the earth's ecosystem.
The meeting is part of the United Nations-designated International Year
of Mountains, which is being observed in the United States and elsewhere.
The Quito conference is examining, in particular, what mountain advocates
say is their lack of political power compared to those living in low-lying
regions.
Advocates say that the populations in mountain areas tend to migrate
to lower lands. Consequently, mountain areas lose economic, social and
demographic importance, causing their inhabitants to be marginalized.
The U.N. Environment Program says more than 3 billion people rely on
mountain watersheds for their supply of fresh water. In addition, mountains
have become a magnet for tourism, which is the most rapidly growing industry
in the world, the U.N. Environment Program said.
13 million Africans
at risk of starvation
By A.M. Costa Rica wire services
ROME, Italy — The U. N. Food and Agriculture Organization has issued
a warning that close to 13 million people in southern Africa face imminent
starvation unless donor countries come through with food aid and financial
support immediately.
In a report released on the opening day of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg Monday, the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization said that a variety of misfortunes, including "civil strife,
drought, excessive rain, flooding, and population displacement," have caused
21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to face food emergencies, up from 19
in April of this year.
Against United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s estimated
requirements of $25 million, in mid-August "pledges covered only 26 percent
of the amount needed," the report stated.
Brazil to create world’s
largest national park
By A.M. Costa Rica wire services
BRASILIA, Brazil — President Fernando Henrique Cardoso has signed a
bill here creating the world's largest tropical forest park in the northern
Amazon state of Amapa.
Cardoso signed the decree Thursday, creating the National Park of Tumucumaque
Mountains. The area set aside for the park surpasses the Salonga National
Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the world's biggest protected
tropical reserve.
The Tumucumaque Park protects close to 1 percent of the Amazon rainforest
by creating a buffer zone in which logging and industry are banned. Development
has already consumed some 15 percent of the Amazon rainforest.
An estimated 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres) of rainforest
will be set aside for the Tumucumaque Park, which is slightly larger than
Belgium. The picturesque Amazon area contains numerous waterfalls and rivers
that until now have been virtually untouched by civilization. |
Cheney justifies
attack on Iraq
By A.M Costa Rica wire services
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has delivered a forceful
speech, laying out the White House case for pre-emptive action against
Iraq.
Citing mortal danger to the United States, Cheney told a gathering of
war veterans on Monday that there is no doubt Iraqi President Saddam Hussein
is developing weapons of mass destruction.
And Cheney said there is great risk those weapons could fall into the
hands of terrorists.
"We simply will not look away, hope for the best and leave the matter
for some future administration to resolve," he said. Cheney said the arguments
for delay are deeply flawed. He said the more time President Saddam is
given, the more dangerous he becomes.
Also Monday, White House lawyers argued that President Bush does not
need the approval of Congress before attacking Iraq.
Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman, said President Bush will not take
action against Iraq without consulting with Congress and with allies. But
Fleischer stopped short of saying the president would seek congressional
approval.
The New York Times, meanwhile, reports that Baghdad is preparing for
conflict by constructing military fortifications in urban areas. In the
1991 Gulf War, U.S.-led forces easily defeated Iraqi forces while suffering
relatively few casualties.
But that conflict was conducted largely in the desert, and the U.S.
policy of minimizing casualties would be challenged if street-to-street
urban warfare were needed.
Earth Summit
progress continues
Special to A.M. Costa Rica
JOHANNESBURG, Africa — Delegates at the Earth Summit are set to begin
a second day of meetings in South Africa on protecting the environment
and boosting the living standards of the world's poor.
During Monday's opening session in Johannesburg, delegates to the summit
called for concrete action to implement environmental reform and economic
development.
Over the next few days, the delegates will also address the world's
most pressing needs, sustainable energy and agriculture, biodiversity,
clean water, and health care.
Key issues being discussed at the U.N. World Summit for Sustainable
Development include the dangers posed by industrialized, polluting nations,
as well environmental threats posed by people in poor nations who must
drain surrounding resources just to sustain themselves.
Next week, more than 100 heads of state will discuss the timetable for
solving the problems. President Bush is not attending, but U.S. Secretary
of State Colin Powell will deliver a speech Sept. 3.
INS announces rule
for commuter students
Special to A.M. Costa Rica
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service has
announced a new rule to allow Mexican and Canadian commuter students to
study on a part-time basis at schools in the United States that are within
75 miles of the U.S. border with Mexico and Canada.
INS officials said in a press release Monday that the purpose of the
rule is "to accommodate the special relationship between the United States
and its neighbors and to legitimize such study by border commuter students,
while placing it within a regulated, controlled process."
|
Professional Directory
A.M. Costa Rica's professional is where business people
who wish to reach the English-speaking community may invite responses.
If you are interested in being represented here, please
contact the
editor.
Lawyers
Legal and Consulting Specialists
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• Reliable and Responsive • Excellent References
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Tel: (506) 253-9655 Fax: (506) 280-4576
Cel: (506) 386-9324
Email: ulimar@costarica.net
7/16/02
Real estate agents
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15 years Costa Rican real estate experience
Member of the Costa Rican Real Estate Association, Lic. #1000
Member, Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce
margaret@caricohenderson.com
www.caricohenderson.com
(506) 232-5016 home (506) 233-8057 office (506)382-7399
cell
2/9/03
Web design
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9/16/02
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