State Department takes lead on international maritime security policies

State Department takes lead on international maritime security policies       President Bush has designated the State Department to lead negotiations setting up cooperative maritime security arrangements with foreign governments and international organizations. The president also tasked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to solicit international support to strengthen global maritime security regimes for preventing terrorist attacks and criminal activity.
      In response, the State Department announced that it has established a strategy for enhanced outreach and coordination of U.S. dealings with foreign governments, international and regional organizations and the private sector on matters of maritime security.
   The move raises questions about how much autonomy U.S. Customs and Border Protection will retain in pushing global supply chain standards through the World Customs Organization or getting countries to commit on a bilateral basis to the Container Security Initiative. The Coast Guard’s role vis a vis the International Maritime Organization and other countries could also change under the new directive.
   CBP officials have said they were able to quickly extend the zone of protection around the United States after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks by creating the Container Security Initiative and getting commitments from nations to allow U.S. inspectors in foreign ports to help conduct outbound container inspections. Officials have made clear in the past that if they had gone through traditional State Department channels the process would have taken years to get off the ground.
   “The Department of State will coordinate closely with other departments and agencies to establish an early dialogue with international partners when developing maritime security policy initiatives, and will maintain regular contact to discuss implementation and ensure effectiveness,” the State Department said. “Foreign governments and industry officials will be provided consistent, coordinated United States positions on programs and initiatives related to maritime security.”