DHS chief hails progress in meeting cargo screening mandates

US HOMELAND SECURITY Secretary Janet Napolitano has hailed "historic advances" in international aviation security as a key measure of the Department of Homeland Security's progress in fulfilling the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

But DHS will not meet the same August 1 deadline for screening all international air cargo bound for the United States, according to a report from DHS called "Progress in Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations: July 2010 Update".

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) estimates only 60 per cent of foreign cargo undergoes screening and it could take several years to reach the goal of 100 per cent as mandated by law, said the report, while asserting the agency will meet its congressional deadline of August to screen 100 per cent of air cargo on domestic passenger aircraft.

"The 9/11 Commission's recommendations have in many ways set the course for the Department's efforts to combat security threats," Ms Napolitano said in a statement published in HS Today.

"By working with our partners, we have achieved historic advances in international aviation security, including bolstering explosives detection, strengthening the vetting of passengers against terrorist watchlists, refining passenger screening techniques and deploying tens of thousands of trained aviation security personnel that make air travel safer for everyone."

TSA will achieve its 100 per cent passenger belly hold screening because of the provisions of the Certified Cargo Screening Programme, allowing third parties to screen cargo. More than 1.5 million shippers in the TSA Known Shipper Management System have met certification requirements for security standards.
(Source:www.schednet.com)