Security & Safety Briefs - July 29 - Aug. 4
The Latest Headlines:
- Bush Endorses Creation of National Intelligence Director
- FBI Warns of Terrorism in Calif., N.M.
- Foreign Visitor Program to Expand to More Airports, Seaports
- FBI Warns of Terrorism in Calif., N.M.
Bush Endorses Creation of National Intelligence Director
President Bush on Monday endorsed the creation of a national intelligence director and a national counterterrorism center, two recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, news services reported.However, Bush said he does not want the director to be based in the White House. The commission had said the director should work there to ensure the person has undisputed authority, USA Today reported.
Thomas Kean, chairman of the 9/11 Commission, said he was "gratified" by Bush's actions and had no problems with Bush's desire to keep the director and center outside the White House, USA Today said. Transport Topics
FBI Warns of Terrorism in Calif., N.M.
The FBI warned police in California and New Mexico it received information about terrorist activity in their states, the Associated Press reported.However, the warning wasn't specific about particular targets or a method of attack, a federal law enforcement official said.
The FBI decided to pass along the threat information but warned that it was considered unsubstantiated and uncorroborated, AP reported. Transport Topics
Foreign Visitor Program to Expand to More Airports, Seaports
A Homeland Security official said Tuesday that US-VISIT, the government's system for ensuring that foreign visitors leave the country when expected, would be expanded to 11 more airports and two seaports starting in August, the Associated Press reported.Asa Hutchinson, the undersecretary for border and transportation security, said the San Pedro and Long Beach seaports would implement the program, as would several airports including William B. Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta; Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Denver International Airport.
Under the program, all foreign visitors who travel with a visa are fingerprinted and photographed when they arrive at major U.S. airports and seaports. The information is checked against databases to ensure that documents are legitimate and the visitor's name does not appear on terrorist watch lists.
The government has been testing the system at Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Miami International Cruise Line Terminal. US-VISIT eventually is to be installed at land ports of entry, AP said. Transport Topics
