U.S. experts to examine local seaports, airports

U.S. experts to examine local seaports, airports

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Two security experts from the United States have arrived in
Indonesia to assess the implementation of security measures at
the country's seaports and airports as part of an international
drive to prevent the trade of goods by terrorists, the Ministry
of Trade and Industry says.

The experts, Robert M. Green and Paul L. Washington, would
identify areas for improvement, the ministry's director for the
inspection of goods and services, Budi Darmadi, said.

"They will start working on Tuesday to examine security
aspects at Tanjung Priok (seaport) and Soekarno-Hatta airport,"
Budi said after a meeting with the experts.

He said that other seaports and airports to be examined by the
team included those in Medan, Surabaya, Makassar, Bali and Batam.

The arrival of the pair is part of an agreement made by member
countries of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) during
the recent gathering in Bangkok which agreed to carry out the
U.S.-proposed Secure Trade in APEC Region (START) initiative.

The initiative is aimed at securing the flow of goods and
people through measures which protect cargo, ships engaged in
international voyages, international aviation and also people in
transit.

The U.S. has launched a number of security measures in the
international trade sector following the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks. In addition to START, the U.S. has introduced the
Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Bioterrorism Act.

Under CSI requirements, Indonesian products bound for U.S.
markets must first undergo a physical inspection process in
Singapore. The policy has been criticized by local exporters for
creating additional costs.

The U.S. is one of the country's main export markets,
accounting for 16 percent of the total export sales.

Indonesia's main exports to the U.S. include garments,
textiles, footwear and shellfish.

Budi said that once Indonesia's seaports were upgraded,
particularly on the security aspect, the inspection process could
be conducted locally.

He said that the experts would help the country improve
security at seaports and airports.

"The CSI system is part of the STAR initiative. If Indonesia
can meet the STAR requirements, our exports can go directly to
the U.S.," Budi said.

Indonesia has about 108,000 kilometers of coastline, the
longest in the region. The country also has 114 seaports across
the country.