*EPF508 11/28/2003
Text: U.S. Praises New Zealand's Efforts to Enhance Cargo Security
(U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release Nov. 28) (420)

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency issued a press release November 28 congratulating New Zealand on its efforts to make its sea cargo containers more secure.

"New Zealand Customs Service is a close partner with CBP in the fight against terrorism. New Zealand is making significant investment to automate their systems and purchase some of the best technology available to screen goods traveling through containerized sea traffic against exploitation by terrorists," CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security that unifies U.S. customs, immigration, and agriculture inspectors and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Following is the text of the press release:

(begin text)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner
Applauds Government of New Zealand For Secure Supply Chain Effort

(Friday, November 28, 2003)

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner (CBP) Robert C. Bonner recognized today the government of New Zealand and their dedication to the supply chain security effort.

CBP officials and New Zealand Customs delegation members have been meeting last week to discuss measures that they are taking to secure the global supply chain.

"New Zealand Customs Service is a close partner with CBP in the fight against terrorism. New Zealand is making significant investment to automate their systems and purchase some of the best technology available to screen goods traveling through containerized sea traffic against exploitation by terrorists," CBP Commissioner Bonner said.

The New Zealand delegation made presentations to CBP regarding pending legislation and their recent measures to improve the security of containerized exports, including the development of a robust program with the trade to increase supply chain security beginning with the producer. "From what I've seen, New Zealand has developed and is implementing some of the world's best practices to partner with the trade and take a leading role in ensuring the integrity of their export system. These types of initiatives, when fully implemented, will help ensure the low risk nature of goods coming from New Zealand to the U.S. -- and keep New Zealand goods flowing in international commerce in times of heightened security," CBP Commissioner Bonner said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security that unifies U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the U.S. Border Patrol.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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