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US to deploy anti-terror officials at Taiwan harbour: Report
Taipei, June 15: The United States is to send customs and security officials to Taiwan`s largest harbour as part of Washington`s global anti-terrorism efforts, it was reported today.
Taipei, June 15: The United States is to send customs and security officials to Taiwan's largest harbour as part of Washington's global anti-terrorism efforts, it was reported today.
An official from the US Homeland Security Department was
quoted by the United Daily News saying Kaohsiung will be one
of the 20 harbours worldwide staffed US anti-terrorism
officials.
The paper said Taipei has been cooperating with Washington in battling terrorism since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Among cooperative measures already in place is a "container information checking system”, under which all US-bound containers are scrutinized by X-ray, it said.
Both Taiwan's foreign ministry spokesman Richard Shihand the US de facto embassy in Taiwan, the American institute in Taiwan, were tight -lipped on the report.
Taipei-Washington ties have strengthened under the George W. Bush administration, despite the lack of diplomatic links as Washington continues to recognise Beijing's ultimate authority.
Taiwan President Chen Shui-Bian had pledged to remain an active partner in the us-led campaign against terrorism as part of Taiwan's bid to shoulder a greater responsibility for maintaining security in Asia.
Kaohsiung is the world's fifth largest port. Out of 8. Million containers handled there last year, some 600,000 were shipped to the United States, according to the paper.
Among the other 19 harbours adopting anti-terror measures are Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Pusan, Tokyo and Rotterdam.
Bureau Report
The paper said Taipei has been cooperating with Washington in battling terrorism since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Among cooperative measures already in place is a "container information checking system”, under which all US-bound containers are scrutinized by X-ray, it said.
Both Taiwan's foreign ministry spokesman Richard Shihand the US de facto embassy in Taiwan, the American institute in Taiwan, were tight -lipped on the report.
Taipei-Washington ties have strengthened under the George W. Bush administration, despite the lack of diplomatic links as Washington continues to recognise Beijing's ultimate authority.
Taiwan President Chen Shui-Bian had pledged to remain an active partner in the us-led campaign against terrorism as part of Taiwan's bid to shoulder a greater responsibility for maintaining security in Asia.
Kaohsiung is the world's fifth largest port. Out of 8. Million containers handled there last year, some 600,000 were shipped to the United States, according to the paper.
Among the other 19 harbours adopting anti-terror measures are Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Pusan, Tokyo and Rotterdam.
Bureau Report