The United States has reached an agreement with the European Union allowing Washington to share records of passenger names while protecting their privacy.
It has been collecting such data from flights originating in other regions. They comprise information given by passengers to purchase airline tickets, including credit card numbers and telephone numbers in addition to particulars on the face of their passport.
"By using passenger name record data, you can follow the threat and potentially connect security risks," Russ Knocke, spokesman for the homeland security department said.
In addition, regulations were unveiled this week requiring private aircraft entering the United States to provide comprehensive passenger manifest information to US authorities prior to departure. Ultimately, the private aircraft also will undergo a physical screening process overseas before they come to the United States.
On the cargo front, officials said the United States would scan nearly 100 percent of incoming cargo for radiation at major seaports in the country by the end of 2007. Agreements have also been drawn up with seven overseas ports to conduct the radiation screening over there, with three pacts already operational, including one in Pakistan. Officials also said virtually all cargo would be screened at all ports of entry by the end of 2008.
The United States already requires advance information, including comprehensive manifest and shipping history, on all incoming containers. US inspectors are also deployed at 52 foreign seaports to examine high-risk containers before they are loaded on vessels destined for the United States. |