    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [September 9, 2002]
    [Pages 1564-1566]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Jean
    Chretien on Implementation of the ``Smart
    Border'' Declaration and Action Plan
    September 9, 2002

        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

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    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,

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    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.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.