Feel Safer Now?

This is an older AP story linked at: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,141314,00.html
And it may be old news, but it goes into effect on Monday at six American ports, which are according to many reports already a bit shoddy.


UAE Joins U.S. Cargo Security Program
Monday, December 13, 2004

WASHINGTON — The United Arab Emirates is the first country in the Middle East to participate in a U.S. program intended to safeguard sea cargo from terrorists, U.S. customs officials said Sunday.

For the first time, U.S. customs inspectors will be stationed at the port of Dubai to screen sea cargo headed for America, the officials said.

It's part of a U.S. initiative begun in January 2002 amid heightened concerns about sea cargo security (search) after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 (search).

The program seeks to prevent cargo from being used by terrorists to smuggle themselves or weapons into the United States.

"The UAE has acknowledged the absolute importance of securing cargo against terrorists," said Robert Bonner, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (search).

Adding the Dubai port to the program is seen as important because of the port's strategic position in Middle Eastern shipping and transport.

More than half of the Sept. 11 hijackers flew directly from Dubai to the United States in the final stages for the attack, according to a report on the attacks. Also, some of the money used by the terrorists was wired from Dubai banks.

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