From the AFP, on the agreement signed yesterday between the U.S. and Portugal:
The United States and Portugal signed Tuesday a bilateral agreement to cooperate in the battle against terrorism and organised crime during a visit by Washington's homeland security chief.
"We have signed an important agreement on the prevention and fight against terrorism and organised crime," Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado said in a news conference alongside US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Napolitano said the agreement allows the two countries to share information to stop serious crimes."The agreement we signed today will help us to achieve this goal," she said.
From CNN, on increased cooperation between ICE and ATF:
The two federal agencies most responsible for stemming the flow of firearms to Mexico agreed Tuesday to improve cooperation after they were sharply criticized by a congressional report for lack of coordination.
The agreement between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will result in a more effective fight against the flood of U.S. weapons that provide Mexican drug cartels with more than 90 percent of their firearms. Top federal law enforcement officials were in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to sign documents pledging to work together.
The agreement is expected to result in increased seizures of trafficked weapons and more prosecutions and convictions, said David Ogden, the deputy attorney general.
But "it's hard to say when we'll see results," he added.
Ogden, along with ATF Director Ken Melson and John Morton, assistant secretary for ICE, expressed confidence the duplication and confusion between the agencies would end.
Leadership Events
11 AM Local
Secretary Napolitano will tour Atocha Train Station, site of the 2004 train bombing
Atocha Train Station
Madrid, Spain
1 PM Local
Secretary Napolitano and Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Pérez
Rubalcaba will sign of Declaration of Principles formalizing the Immigration Advisory Program (IAP) and participate in a media availability
Ministry of Interior
Paseo de la Castellana 5
Madrid, Spain
Public Events
8 AM EDT
Director of the Control Systems Security Program (CSSP) in the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications Sean McGurk will deliver remarks at the 2009 Chemical Sector Security Summit on the topic, “Roadmap to Secure Control Systems in the Chemical Sector.”
The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
700 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore, Md.
10 AM EDT
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Public Affairs Manager Dwayne Baird will participate in a media event about the inline baggage system
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
19631 International Blvd.
Seattle, Wash.
1:30 PM EDT
Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) Deputy Director Taylor Heard will deliver remarks at the New York State Public Safety Interoperability Symposium: Focus of Governance
The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, N.Y.
4 PM EDT
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will participate in a media availability about the importance of preparedness.
New York City Hall
City Hall Park – Opposite 250 Broadway
New York, N.Y.
