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Ambassador
Ambassador Event
AMBASSADOR CUTS RIBBON ON STATE-OF-THE ART SCANNER AT PORT OF BUENOS AIRES
November 17, 2005
U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Lino Gutierrez and Dr. Alberto R. Abad, Federal Administrator of National Revenue of the Argentine Republic, cut the ribbon November 17 on large-scale, powerful scanning equipment deployed in Argentina under the Container Security Initiative (CSI). They also signed an operational agreement which follows a declaration of principles signed by the United States and Argentine governments last May. Also attending the events were Cresencio (Cris) Arcos, Director, International Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Argentina's Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna and Dr. Ricardo Echegaray, Director General of Customs, AFIP.
The scanner will target and pre-screen maritime cargo containers and thereby boost security and commercial trade. The state-of-the-art scanner will facilitate trade by dramatically reducing the time necessary to screen outgoing cargo. The scanner is non-intrusive inspectional equipment that takes seconds to make a complete examination of a full container. At this speed, many containers can be screened per hour. U.S. officials from the Department of Homeland Security Office of Customs and Border Protection are being deployed to assist with targeting and proper use of the equipment.
The CSI facilitates safe, rapid and efficient trade for the U.S. and Argentina, which benefits the business communities of both countries. Argentina becomes the 41st in an international network of CSI ports in countries around the world -- Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North and South America.
