[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 37 (Monday, September 16, 2002)]
[Pages 1523-1524]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

[[Page 1524]]

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.

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