For Immediate Release
Office of Press Secretary
March 31, 2003
President Updates America on Operations Liberty Shield and Iraqi Freedom
Today's Presidential Action
President Bush visited the Port of Philadelphia to meet with
front-line Coast Guard personnel and discuss the vital role that they
are playing in Operation Liberty Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom and
the War on Terrorism. The President announced that the Coast Guard
will begin purchasing up to 700 new Response Boats to be used in its
homeland security mission. These boats will begin deploying nationwide
starting this summer.
Background on Today's Presidential Action
Operation Liberty Shield: On March 17, the Administration
announced Operation Liberty Shield, a comprehensive national plan
to protect the homeland in the current state of heightened alert.
Operation Liberty Shield involves extensive cooperation between
federal, state and local officials to reduce the threat of terrorism at
home.
Border and Port Protection: Operation Liberty Shield has amplified
the Sea Marshal program, increased reconnaissance aircraft patrols on
our borders, quadrupled the number of air cargo examinations, and
relocated hundreds of security personnel to border areas.
Transportation Security: New temporary flight restrictions over
cities such as New York and Washington, D.C. have been implemented,
along with increased monitoring and surveillance of hazardous material
shipments.
Increased Surveillance of Suspected Terrorists: The federal
government has stepped up surveillance of suspected terrorists, ordered
individuals with ties to Iraqi intelligence services out of the
country, and conducted voluntary interviews of Iraqi-born residents.
The government is also working to ensure that Iraqi Americans are
protected against discrimination and hate crimes.
Protecting Critical Infrastructure: More than 2,800 National Guard
troops have been deployed nationwide to protect key assets, and the
Coast Guard has increased protection of pipelines, petrochemical
facilities and shipping channels. These personnel are working in
conjunction with thousands of state and local law enforcement
officials.
Increased Public Health Preparedness: Field inspections of
livestock and crops have been expanded. Monitoring of certain
commodities for biological agents has been expanded, and federal, state
and local public health officials are increasing medical monitoring in
cities.
The Coast Guard's Vital Role in Protecting the Homeland: As part
of Operation Liberty Shield, the USCG has increased its patrols by
50 percent and is placing armed boarding officers on every
high-interest vessel arriving or departing from American ports. The
USCG has conducted over 3,000 air and sea patrols and 3,900 reservists
are currently serving on active duty. More than 550 vessels have been
stopped and boarded. This tightened security has yielded drug seizures
of over 6000 kilos of cocaine and the interdiction of almost 200
illegal migrants.
Supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom: The Coast Guard is playing a
vital role in supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The USCG has sent
cutters and active duty and reserve personnel to the Persian Gulf
region to guard key ports and oil platforms in the Gulf, enforce
economic sanctions and take custody of prisoners of war.
The President's Budget -- Providing Necessary Resources for
Homeland Security: The President's FY 2003 Budget enacted the
largest budget ever for the Coast Guard (an increase of $1 billion over
FY 2002). The President's FY 2004 Budget requests an additional $500
million, a 10% increase over the FY 2003 enacted level. These new
resources will help the Coast Guard protect our homeland with better
intelligence capabilities, a more modern fleet of cutters and aircraft,
and improved port security.
The President's supplemental budget request includes $4.2 billion
for homeland security. The Department of Homeland Security would
receive $3.5 billion, including $2 billion for state and local
terrorism preparedness and prevention and $1.5 billion to support
expanded operations as a result of Operation Liberty Shield. The
request also includes $750 million for other immediate and emerging
terrorism-related prevention and response requirements, including $500
million for the Department of Justice and $250 million for other
agencies throughout the federal government.
For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit
www.whitehouse.gov