U.S. “Trusted Traveler” status granted to Saudi Arabia
Daily News Article — Posted on March 22, 2013
The 9/11 hijackers: 15 of the 19 were Saudi citizens
(by Andy Soltis, New York Post) – Saudi Arabia, which gave us 15 of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers, will soon get the coveted “trusted traveler” status from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Saudi travelers who are cleared through the program could bypass normal customs lines after showing their passports and providing fingerprints.
Only a few other countries – Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands and South Korea – have been granted the same status, which is designed to ease entry into the United States for low-risk airline passengers.
The decision was made in January after a meeting in Washington between Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Saudi Arabian Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, but gained little attention, Fox News reported.
But the Investigative Project on Terrorism issued a report yesterday, noting that the Obama administration’s decision to upgrade Saudi Arabia’s status was a sharp change from 2010, when that country was among 14 whose travelers had to undergo extra screening.
That was in reaction to the attempted Christmas Day 2009 bombing over Detroit. The new rules placed Saudi Arabia on a list of other suspected breeding grounds for terrorists, such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya,
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) told the IPT that including Saudi Arabia in the Global Entry program for “trusted travelers” was wrong.
“I think you have radical Wahhabism in certain elements in Saudi Arabia,” he said, referring to a fundamentalist Islamic sect. After 9/11, Saudi Arabia acknowledged that 15 of the 19 airplane hijackers were Saudi citizens. “There were 15 from that country, and there is a lot taking place in that region,” said Wolf.
Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary
After agreeing to the change in status in January, Napolitano said, “I am proud of the bond between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and today’s meeting marks another major step forward in our partnership.
“By enhancing collaboration with the government of Saudi Arabia, we reaffirm our commitment to more effectively secure our two countries against evolving threats while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.”
The so-called Global Entry program was begun in 2008 to speed preapproved passengers through often sluggish airport customs and security process at American airports.
“Trusted travelers,” who undergo background checks, interviews with US agents and other screening get to keep their status for five years.
Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission from The New York Post.
Questions
1. What is the purpose of the "trusted traveler" status granted to foreign countries by the Department of Homeland Security?
2. List the countries that have been granted "trusted traveler" status by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
3. How many of the 9/11 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia?
4. a) Who made the decision to grant Saudi Arabia "trusted traveler" status?
b) Why was this decision made?
c) How has Saudi Arabia's status with the U.S. changed since 2010?
5. Read the "Background" below the questions, and watch the videos under "Resources." Why do you think the Obama administration has given Trusted Traveler status to all Saudis?
b) Why do you think the Obama administration chose to give this status to Saudi Arabia, but not to our allies (England, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, etc.)?
c) Ask a parent the same questions.
6. The decision to grant Saudi Arabia "trusted traveler" status was made in January. Why do you think this news was not widely publicized by the media?
CHALLENGE: How many news stories can you find about DHS change in policy toward Saudi travelers?
Background
Trusted Traveler/Global Entry Program:
- Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.
- Though intended for frequent international travelers, there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program.
- Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports. (from globalentry.gov)
WAHHABISM:
- Wahhabism is an extremist … and violent movement that emerged, with the pretension of “reforming” Islam, in the central area of Arabia in the 18th century.
- Wahhabism … ([including the] Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and the Pakistani Islamists) [is] the main source of Islamic extremist violence in the world today.
- Just as there are many denominations of Christianity (such as Catholic or Protestant) or Judaism (such as orthodox or liberal) there are a number of denominations of Islam.
- The major denominations of Islam are Sunni and Shi’a. Wahhabism is a sect of Sunni Islam.
- Wahhabism is the dominent form of Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia, and is spread by the Saudis around the world through the funding of mosques and schools [including the U.S.]. (from old.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/interrogatory111802.asp)