Coalition Provisional Authority
Baghdad, Iraq

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Shane Wolfe
wolfes@orha.centcom.mil
1-914-822-4935
 

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BREMER
 

Baghdad, Iraq…March 13, 2004 – Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) administrator, today issued the following statement on our new border security initiative:

“Foreign terrorists are present in Iraq. The numbers are not known with precision, but recent attacks and their continuing presence underscores the importance of improving security at Iraq’s borders.

“That is why we are accelerating border security efforts. This program is the first stage in a multi-stage effort to address security problems exacerbated by Iraq’s porous borders. But it will also assure that when we turn over sovereignty to an Iraqi government on June 30 that government will have the equipment, staff, training and materials necessary to operate each of its 20 major border crossing points.

“We will monitor, limit and control to limit and control the number of people crossing into Iraq from other nations.

“We will do this with a combination of increased personnel, new technology and tighter procedures.

• Right now there are about 8,000 law enforcement personnel devoted to border security. We will double that number and then determine if more are needed.

• We have tested and will begin deploying a system called PISCES—a system to positively ID everyone entering or leaving Iraq.

• Beginning with the Iranian border, we will limit the number of Ports of Entry across Iraq’s borders. The Iran-Iraq border will be reduced to three Ports of Entry. All visitors arriving to Iraq by land will need to present a passport, fill out an entry form, be issued a temporary entry period, and be entered into an immigration monitoring system.

• Data from entry cards will be loaded into the PISCES system, which will also provide Border Enforcement officials a means to conduct checks for wanted subjects and provide a photograph of each visitor.

“We expect this process will increase security without unduly burdening legitimate travelers or commerce.

“We are aware of and have taken into account the importance of religious pilgrims visiting Iraq’s holy sites. Special procedures will be put into place to accommodate increased flows during religious holidays.

“We recognize the challenges inherent in trying to secure Iraq’s porous borders. But we must continue to do more. We owe this to the Iraqi people. And, having consulted with the Iraqi Minister of Interior and other Iraqi officials, we will begin implementation of this program.”

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Note: Dan Senor, CPA spokesman, and BG Mark Kimmitt, CJTF7 Deputy Chief of Operations will be available to answer questions about this border security initiative today at their 5pm briefing at the Baghdad Convention Center