Homeland Security chief challenges logic of screening all cargo
Legislation dealing with cargo security is pending in Congress.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Tuesday attempted to refute arguments that the U.S. government should ensure that every cargo container entering the country is physically inspected or scanned at a foreign port for radioactive materials.
Speaking to the American Association of Port Authorities, Chertoff emphasized the need for a balanced, layered security regime that can identify high-risk cargo containers. He noted the call for screening all cargo.
"How many here want us to do that?" he asked an audience of port employees, federal officials and contractors. Nobody replied, save for some who laughed.
Although Chertoff did not specifically mention it, legislation dealing with cargo security is pending in Congress.
A House-passed bill to implement unfulfilled recommendations of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks includes language to require that all cargo is scanned at foreign ports within five years. The Senate's 9/11 bill includes a proposal by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., that would require Homeland Security Department officials to develop a plan with yearly benchmarks that leads to 100 percent scanning abroad.
"Eventually the terrorists will discern what criterion constitutes high risk and will include their murderous cargo among the 95 percent of containers that are deemed low risk," Menendez said. "Scanning 100 percent of cargo containers entering U.S. ports must be a top national security priority." The House and Senate have yet to negotiate a final bill.
Chertoff said the concept of scanning cargo abroad for radiation is an "interesting approach." But he added that "a cookie-cutter" requirement that scanning be done at every foreign port does not make sense. He said foreign ports differ in size and infrastructure, and the U.S. government would have to reach legal agreements with countries in order to conduct scanning operations.
Chertoff noted that the department is conducting test programs at six foreign ports to scan all containers in order to determine the feasibility and technology requirements of expanding to other ports. Homeland Security officials and many congressional Republicans say the test programs should be given time to yield results before new mandates are imposed.
On another front, Chertoff also called for a moratorium on efforts to reorganize his department. The department essentially has been reorganized every year since its creation, either by Congress or Chertoff himself.
"You do not grow a plant by tearing it up at the roots every year," Chertoff said.
He noted that the last reorganization effort -- dealing with disaster preparedness and response -- is nearly complete. Chertoff suggested "that we now give the people in place the constancy and the predictability that they need over the next few years to actually fully flesh out the organization."