EX-COMMISSIONER WEISE CALLS FOR CUSTOMS, INDUSTRY TO WORK TOGETHER

   Former Customs Commissioner George Weise warned industry officials that implementation of Customs’ new umbrella system, the Automated Commercial Environment, may experience further delays.
   Setbacks in ACE will mean additional delays in implementing the 1993 Customs Modernization and Informed Compliance Act.
   "ACE is not going anywhere in the foreseeable future," Weise told
executives at the Western Cargo Conference in San Diego. "And the Mod Act provisions aren’t going to be meaningful without ACE."
   These setbacks have strained relations between Customs and the industry recently. Customs has recently reduced the number of staffers it sends to industry functions due to lack of resources. But Weise said the industry and Customs must continue to work together.
   "Partnership requires give and take on both sides," he said. "My advice to you (industry) is to recommit yourselves to a meaningful partnership."