Ridge: U.S. security depends on international cargo standards

Ridge: U.S. security depends on international cargo standards    The United States cannot defeat terrorists without the cooperation of like-minded nations, but more work on common international technology standards and consistent screening procedures are necessary to increase the effectiveness of border security measures, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said.
   The top domestic security official said nations need to come together on a cargo security protocol in the same way they adopted the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code through the International Maritime Organization to identify and close vulnerabilities at ports and on vessels. The United States is working with the World Customs Organization, the European Union and other bodies to get other countries to take terrorism seriously and adopt the kinds of principles and programs the United States
   Ridge told the Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit that countries must also develop a set of international standards for capturing, analyzing, storing, reading and protecting biometric data in order to ensure interoperable access control systems and protecting privacy, according to a copy of his speech. Biometric data is a key component of the U.S.-VISIT passenger screening system, as well as a universal transportation worker identification card being developed by the Transportation Security Administration.
   In an acknowledgement that some countries view the United States as pushing a unilateral security, as well as foreign policy agenda, Ridge stated, “The United States is particularly sensitive to the historical, constitutional and cultural differences among nations. We are mindful of concerns over issues of standards and civil liberties with respect to biometrics, biometric passports, border security, student visas and other changes.” — Eric Kulisch