Letter: Legislation on our ports is long overdue

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 | 8:16 a.m.

Seaport security in America ports is being transformed from inadequate to adequate. The Dubai port control dispute has caused leading members of Congress to seek passage of laws protecting our nation from radiological or nuclear weapons shipped in maritime containers.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., wrote in The Wall Street Journal on March 11 about the following legislation he has introduced:

1. The legislation would direct Homeland Security to provide, within 90 days, a plan on how to implement a plan for 100 percent screening on cargo imported in maritime containers.

2. He also has co-sponsored legislation with Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Patty Murray that would create a security system in U.S. ports that would prevent terrorists from smuggling radiological or nuclear weapons into this country.

3. The legislation would allow foreign governments, such as the United Arab Emirates, to own and profit from its U.S. investments (upon which America economy relies) without compromising our national security. Hearings will be March 28 and 30 by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation that Coleman chairs to see what private and government security efforts are now in effect to prevent terrorist smuggling.

The grossly inadequate 5 percent inspection rate of maritime containers imported to our nation would now be superseded by the 100 percent rate. We concerned citizens can applaud the effort and watchdog the passage of this legislation. Clearing up how the 5 percent wasn't scrubbed before now, Reps. Duncan Hunter and Mike Pence said on Fox News on March 12 that President Bush was let down by the agency that approves security. They agreed the agency did a superficial examination, provoking these and the other members of Congress into action to reform security. Who says dispute doesn't generate positive results?

Paul L. Larsen, Las Vegas