Security Briefs - March 5-7
The Latest Headlines:
- Roadway Granted Fast-Track Border Crossing Rights
- Debate Continues on UN War Resolution
- Customs Service Inks Five-Year X-Ray Deal
- Debate Continues on UN War Resolution
Roadway Granted Fast-Track Border Crossing Rights
Roadway Express Inc. and its Canadian subsidiary, Reimer Express Lines Ltd., said Tuesday that they have received approval by customs officials in the United States and Canada for fast-track border crossing privileges.The companies have been admitted into Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and Partners In Protection programs of the Free and Secure Trade initiative. The initiative is a partnership between the United States and Canada to move goods quickly and securely across the world’s longest undefended border.
Roadway is ranked No. 7 on the 2002 Transport Topics 100 listing of the largest trucking companies in the United States and Canada. Transport Topics
Debate Continues on UN War Resolution
Debate in the United Nations Security Council that would pave the way to war in Iraq continued with several countries standing opposed to a March 17 deadline for the Middle Eastern country to disarm, Reuters reported Tuesday.Three of the five permanent members - China, Russia and France – have already said they would oppose the resolution as currently constructed. Syria has also voiced its opposition, Reuters reported.
Several countries have proposed extending the deadline by 45 days, but the United States and Great Britain – the two co-sponsors of the second resolution – have rejected these overtures so far, Reuters said.
Analysts have said that a war could force even tighter security around the country, boost the price of oil and could hurt the already weak U.S. economy if a war were not resolved quickly. Transport Topics
Customs Service Inks Five-Year X-Ray Deal
The U.S. Customs Services signed a five-year contract with Advanced Research and Application Corp. for the company’s Eagle cargo inspection system, the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based firm said Monday.The Eagle system is designed to inspect cargo and trucks at seaports and other ports of entry, the company said.
Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the United States has been very focused on securing the nation’s ports of entry and borders and has focused greater scrutiny on cargo coming into the country.
Advanced Research and Application said it expects the contract to be worth $40 million over its lifetime, but only two of the units have been ordered initially. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
