[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 36 (Monday, September 11, 2000)]
[Page 2021]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Report of the Interagency Commission on Crime and 
Security in United States Seaports

September 7, 2000

    I am pleased to receive the report of the Interagency Commission on 
Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports. In April 1999, I directed the 
Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of 
Transportation to establish the Commission to undertake a comprehensive 
study of the nature and extent of crime in our seaports and the state of 
security in those seaports. I also direct the Commission to review the 
ways in which Federal, State, and local governments are responding to 
the problem and develop recommendations for improving law enforcement 
and crime prevention.
    Seaports are a key component of our Nation's Marine Transportation 
System and serve as major gateways for international commerce. As 
barriers to trade and travel are reduced and volumes of international 
cargo and passengers continue to grow, opportunities for criminals to 
exploit or disrupt maritime commerce increase. It is thus essential that 
we maintain effective security and border control measures to thwart 
criminals seeking to use our seaports for terrorism, fraud, theft, or 
smuggling of illegal drugs, migrants, weapons, and other contraband.
    The Commission's report documents the current crime problem in 
seaports, identifies present and projected security threats, and 
recommends a number of useful measures aimed at reducing the 
vulnerability of maritime commerce and its supporting infrastructure. 
The Chief of Staff has initiated a review of the Commission's 
recommendations, with a view to implementing them as appropriate.
    I would like to commend Secretary Summers, Attorney General Reno, 
and Secretary Slater for their leadership in this important initiative. 
I would also like to express my appreciation to cochairs Commissioner 
Ray Kelly of the U.S. Customs Service, Administrator Clyde Hart of the 
U.S. Maritime Administration, and Assistant Attorney General Jim 
Robinson, Department of Justice, to their fellow commissioners, and to 
the professional staff for their vision and hard work in carrying out 
this initiative.