United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 Committee Visits DHS

[The Patriot]

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 Committee Visits DHS

09-15-2011 04:00 AM

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today welcomed members of the Committee established pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540) at the National Targeting Center-Passenger (NTC-P) in the National Capital Region. The visit was part of a week-long trip, coordinated by the Department of State, to meet with officials from departments and agencies across the U.S. Government to learn about U.S. efforts to implement UNSCR 1540.

In April 2004, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1540, establishing for the first time binding obligations on all UN member states under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to take and enforce effective measures against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their means of delivery and related materials. In the meetings today, DHS reaffirmed its commitment to the effective implementation of UNSCR 1540 and working collaboratively with international counterparts to strengthen the resolution’s global impact.

“Enforcing effective measures against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related materials is an essential part of our broader efforts to keep all of us safe and secure,” said Secretary Napolitano. “We must continue to work closely with our international partners—including the United Nations—to combat the proliferation of WMD.”

In addition to briefings at the NTC-P, the Committee was also briefed on a variety of DHS initiatives at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Officethat work to support DHS’ efforts to implement UNSCR 1540. Officials from the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Coast Guard were also present to answer questions from the Committee.

The National Targeting Center (NTC) is a key tool for DHS in analyzing, assessing, and making determinations based on the Terrorist Screening Database and other vital intelligence. The NTC is a 24/7 operation, established after the terror attacks of 9/11 to provide tactical targeting information aimed at interdicting terrorists, criminal actors and prohibited items —including WMDs. The NTC works with CBP’s Automated Targeting System, a DHS program that matches travelers and goods against screening information and known patterns of illicit activity. Since its inception, the NTC has evolved into two Centers: the National Targeting Center Passenger (NTC-P) and the National Targeting Center Cargo (NTC-C).

For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov.

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