Text 4 Container Security Initiative (csi)

Task I. Study the following words:

1. security concerns – проблемы (задачи) безопасности;

2. to tackle - браться за что-либо; решать (проблему);

3. a heightened threat – растущая угроза;

4. massive disruption – массовое разрушение;

5. nuke – coll. ядерное оружие;

6. destined for – предназначенный для;

7. prescreening – предварительная проверка;

8. bilateral arrangements – двусторонние соглашения.

Read the text to speak on tackling security concerns in the U.S.

Addressing security concerns while continuing to facilitate trade (and minimize compliance costs) is particularly challenging. Security is being tackled actively by the United States, on a bilateral basis, through its Container Security Initiative (CSI).

Tackling security concerns

The perception of a heightened threat of terrorism since September 11, 2001, has led to a renewed emphasis, especially in the United States, on the physical inspection of cargoes. Topping U.S. concerns are the shipment of weapons of mass destruction in container ships (the "nuke in the box") and a possible massive disruption to key ports.

Initially, the increase in the number of inspections led to huge and costly delays at U.S. border points. But, in an effort not to raise costs to traders, and perhaps even to reduce them, the United States has increasingly been entering into agreements with other countries for the prescreening in those countries, by U.S. officials, of cargo destined for the United States.

Clearance of this prescreened cargo is then expedited upon arrival in the United States. At the heart of this approach is the Container Security Initiative (CSI). By May 2005, the customs service had entered into 22 CSI bilateral arrangements covering 36 operational ports in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North America.

Task II. Match left and right.

по прибытии	weapons of mass destruction
на двусторонней основе	clearance of the cargo
главные порты	on a bilateral basis
пограничные пункты пропуска	upon arrival
контейнеровоз, грузовое судно	key ports
очистка груза	to facilitate trade
оружие массового поражения	border points
упрощать торговлю	container ship

Task III. Answer the following questions.

1. What are topping U.S. concerns?

2. What are the main points of the Container Security Initiative?

Task IV. Explain the meaning of the following:

A renewed emphasis; topping concerns; huge and costly delays; agreements with other countries; for the prescreening; at the heart of approach; operational ports.

Task V. Rewrite the sentences below translating the Russian parts into English.

1. Первостепенные (важные) U.S. concerns are the shipment of оружие массового поражения in container ships and a possible massive disruption to key ports.

2. The осознание of a heightened угроза терроризма since September 11, 2001, has led to a renewed акцент, especially in the United States, on the physical контроль грузов.

3. Clearance of this предварительно проверенный груз is then expedited по прибытии in the United States.

4. Security is being tackled actively by the United States, on a двусторонняя основа, through its Программа безопасности контейнерных перевозок.

Task VI. Translate into English.

Use the following words and phrases: container shipment; to be designed to (for); to include; to identify suspect (dangerous) containers.

Программа безопасности контейнерных перевозок предназначена для повышения контроля над контейнерными грузами и предотвращения использования контейнеров террористами для ввоза оружия. Программа включает разработку критериев выявления опасных контейнеров и проверку подозрительных контейнеров до их прибытия в американский порт.