U.S., Jamaica sign security agreement

U.S., Jamaica sign security agreement The U.S. and Jamaica Tuesday signed a Declaration of Principles (DOP) agreement aimed at improving security against the smuggling of nuclear or other radioactive materials.
   The DOP covers both Customs and Border Protection's Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Megaports Initiative.

U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica Brenda LaGrange Johnson, left, congratulates Robert Pickersgill, Jamaican Minister of Housing, Transport, Water and Works, after signing a Declaration of Principles in Washington, D.C on June 20.

   CBP said DOPs are aimed at detecting and deterring trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials by smugglers and terrorists. Similar partnerships exist with the Netherlands, Greece and other nations. Representatives from Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East and the Caribbean are in active discussions with the U.S. to install radiation detection systems at key port facilities worldwide.
   The CSI is operational in 44 ports in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North, South, and Central America, covering some 75 percent of all containers headed toward the U.S.
   NNSA works with foreign partners to install specialized radiation detection equipment at international ports. The Megaports Initiative is currently operational in six countries, and at various stages of implementation and negotiations with approximately 30 other countries around the world.
   'Preventing the smuggling of illicit nuclear weapons and radiological materials remains CBP's highest priority,' CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham said in announcing the DOP Tuesday.