For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 9, 2002
President Bush, PM Chretien Announce Progress in Smart Border Plan
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on Implementation of the Smart Border Declaration and Action Plan
Fact Sheet: Summary of Smart Border Action Plan Status Fact Sheet: United States - Canada Nexus Program Fact Sheet: United States - Canada Free and Secure Trade program the FAST Program
Nearly one year ago, terrorists launched an attack on our common
commitment to freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and an open world
economy. The United States and Canada have responded together with the
shared determination that has always characterized the partnership
between our two great nations.
American and Canadian troops have fought side-by-side to free the
Afghan people from Taliban rule, and to destroy the Al-Qaeda terrorist
network. Our governments are sharing intelligence and coordinating law
enforcement action to address threats to our societies. We have
partnered diplomatically, working together at the G-8 Summit in June to
secure the commitment of the world's largest economies to increase the
security of the global transportation and trading system. Officials
from dozens of American and Canadian agencies have worked together with
determination and dedication and our citizens have found countless ways
to support each other.
When we met on September 24th last year, we resolved to prevent
terrorists from undermining the national and economic security of our
citizens. We charged Homeland Security Advisor Tom Ridge and Deputy
Prime Minister John Manley with coordinating our governments'
cooperation along the longest, non-militarized border in the world.
They recognized the urgent need to enhance security in a way that
strengthened the extraordinary trading relationship between our
countries and the prosperity that it provides our citizens.
On December 12, 2001 Governor Ridge and Deputy Prime Minister
Manley signed "The Smart Border Declaration," and immediately began
implementing an aggressive and sweeping 30-point action plan to build a
smart border for the 21st century -- a border that is secure and
efficient; a border open for business but closed to terrorists.
On June 28, 2002, they reported on the tremendous progress that has
already been made in implementing the Smart Border Action Plan. We are
on-track to implement many action plan elements over the coming months
and years, bringing continuous and steady improvement to the efficiency
and security of our shared border. Today, we mark important milestones
in two of the programs that are central to building a smart border.
The United States and Canada have the largest trading relationship
of any two countries in the world, and more trade flows between
Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario than through any other border
crossing. Today we announce a major step forward in ensuring the
secure and efficient flow of goods across the border with the opening
of registration for the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program. This
revolutionary program partners the United States and Canadian
governments with the private sector to ensure a secure supply chain for
low-risk goods. FAST will make many cross-border commercial shipments
simpler, cheaper, and subject to fewer delays -- all while enhancing
security. FAST will be open by December 2002 at the following
crossings: Blaine/Douglas, Detroit/Windsor, Port Huron/Sarnia,
Buffalo/Fort Erie, Lewiston/Queenston, and Champlain/Lacolle.
The closeness of our two societies is evidenced by the fact that
over 200 million people cross our shared border every year. In order
to allow known travelers to cross the border quickly and easily, the
United States and Canada have begun fielding a new program called NEXUS
that provides dedicated "fast lanes" for pre-approved, low-risk
travelers. NEXUS is already running at four border crossings. Today
we are opening the joint NEXUS application center in Detroit. NEXUS
will be operational at both Detroit/Windsor and Buffalo/Fort Erie
beginning in January of 2003 and will be expanded to all other
high-volume crossings between the two countries by the end of 2003. We
have also developed a NEXUS-Air program, which we will begin piloting
in airports in early 2003.
A secure and efficient border is key to our economic security. We
must continue our efforts to involve the private sector as we proceed
with modernizing our shared border. To this end, Governor Ridge and
Deputy Prime Minister Manley will work with our key agencies and
departments to ensure that they have in place efficient and effective
mechanisms for consulting with the private sector. This will be part
of an ongoing process of formally involving private sector leaders in
our border work.
More work remains, and the United States and Canada reaffirm our
commitment to fully realize the smart border vision. Some of the smart
border action items will take sustained cooperation, effort and
investment. We have directed Governor Ridge and Deputy Prime Minister
Manley to continue overseeing implementation of the Smart Border Action
Plan, and provide us periodic progress reports. In addition, we have
asked that they identify and initiate work in other areas where close
cooperation serves our mutual interests, such as biosecurity and
science and technology research and development.
Our relationship has never been stronger. We are neighbors who
share a common border, but more importantly we are neighbors bound
together by common values: freedom, democracy, the rule of law, the
inherent dignity and rights of every human being.
We are also neighbors who share a common mission: to protect the
security and enhance the prosperity of our citizens. Working together,
we will fulfill this mission.
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