U.S. CUSTOMS LAUNCHES “OPERATION SHIELD AMERICA”

U.S. CUSTOMS LAUNCHES “OPERATION SHIELD AMERICA”

U.S. CUSTOMS LAUNCHES “OPERATION SHIELD AMERICA”

   U.S. Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner on Monday announced a new initiative that teams his agency with the State and Commerce departments to prevent terrorist organizations from obtaining sensitive U.S. technology, equipment and weapons.
   Dubbed “Operation Shield America,” the program is intended to strengthen national security by increasing dialogue between U.S. government coalitions and the private sector.
   The voluntary initiative builds on Customs’ reaching out to form partnerships with American manufacturers and distributors of sensitive weapons and technology, and other items sought by terrorists.
   Another component of the operation calls for Customs to use its authority to investigate and halt individuals from acquiring and illegally exporting weapons or dangerous components to groups whose intent is terrorism on America.
   Bonner called upon these companies and the private sector in general to clamp down on security. “One thing is certain: It will take a vigilant effort from everyone involved,” Bonner said.
   Bonner stressed that, prior to Sept. 11, Customs was on the lookout for rogue countries who were trying to acquire this kind of knowledge and materials. Events of Sept. 11 only hastened Customs’ efforts to form the group.
   He mentioned that Customs intelligence has indicated that terrorist groups have tried to obtain such items. “We certainly have evidence that Al-Qaeda has attempted to acquire certain technologies” for nuclear weaponry, he said.
   Customs has compiled a list of technologies and weapons likely to be of interest to terrorist groups, and has shared this list with intelligence arms of several agencies, including the departments of State, Commerce, Defense and Treasury and Energy.
   Customs will also begin identifying specific U.S. companies that manufacture or distribute the listed materials. Customs agents will then visit these firms to inform them of the intent of the new Customs operation, and encourage. them to notify Customs if they are approached by customers looking to illegally acquire and export the companies’ products.
   Bonner said a good indicator of such a customer would be one who will only pay cash, or is willing to pay an exorbitant amount.
   The Customs initiative is not an extraordinary or coercive move, Bonner said, noting that the agency has jurisdiction to carry out investigations if necessary.
   “We already have existing investigative jurisdiction” to enforce the Arms Export Control Act, he said.
   Bonner said the agency is not asking companies 'to investigate their customers. We are asking them to contact us. A customs official added that this new initiative did not intend to put restrictive measures on all exporters, and only the ones that Customs has reason to believe they have dangerous intent. “We are looking at the customer who wishes to buy weapons technology and attempts to smuggle it out,” he said. “It is not some guy who is trying to buy toothbrushes.”
Bonner added that, because of this and other operations, specifically putting U.S. borders on Level 1 alert, that Customs' resources have been stretched to back all recently imposed security measures, and this may pull resources from other departments in the agency. However, the intensifying security on the Southern border has resulted in many drug busts with cars coming in from Mexico.