Exiting Secretary Ridge acknowledges mistakes

Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Tuesday admitted mistakes during his tenure and offered his successor suggestions for future homeland security missions.

Ridge said the incoming secretary should focus on integrating information technology, procurement, research and development and creating a streamlined personnel system. The advice comes on the heels of President Bush's announcement Tuesday of his nomination of federal judge Michael Chertoff to replace Ridge.

During a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Ridge said he "erred" last year by communicating directly with the airlines about potential threats. Subsequently, Air France canceled several flights to the United States.

"The primary means of communication must be government-to-government," said Ridge, adding that a 24-hour point of contact for such situations between governments was then established. Ridge said he learned from negotiations with the European Union about sharing sensitive passenger information.

"This measure of security will not come at the expense of privacy," said Ridge about an eventual compromise.

Ridge said the new secretary must work to develop international biometric standards for travel documents, such as fingerprints or iris scans, to confirm identities. He also said the department should make information sharing between governments more transparent.

Ridge this week plans to announce a pilot program allowing frequent fliers to undergo pre-flight security checks for travel between the Netherlands' Schiphol Airport and Kennedy International Airport in New York, according to an E.U. official. Ridge also said his successor and Congress should understand that Europeans view some U.S. laws as discriminatory because U.S. citizens can travel to all E.U. countries without visas, but only foreign visitors from certain E.U. countries can travel without visas to the United States. Ridge advised his successor to "be aggressive" and "take the lead" on international security initiatives, specifying the United States should require all 10 fingerprints to be imbedded into its passports.

"It's a lot easier to negotiate with our allies if you've already done what you're asking for," said Ridge.