DHS envoy to help manage EU relations

DHS envoy to help manage EU relations    The United States for the first time will station a full-time attach' from the Department of Homeland Security at European Union headquarters, DHS Secretary Tom Ridge said Thursday in Brussels, Belgium.
   The posting is part of the department’s effort to improve domestic security by gaining the cooperation of other nations to secure travelers, cargo and modes of transport before arrival in the United States.
   Speaking at the European Policy Center, Ridge said the diplomatic post will serve as a direct link between the secretary’s office and international partners in Europe as well allow for constant communication on operational matters.
   “The Homeland Security attach' will enable us to make decisions faster and ramp up security more easily by working in the arena side by side, rather than across an ocean,” Ridge said.
   The European Union and the United States are major trading partners and have cooperated extensively to fight and prevent terrorism. The two sides last year negotiated an agreement to expand the Container Security Initiative to European Community ports. Under CSI, U.S. customs officers are detailed for foreign ports to help inspect cargo exports to the United States.