RESOLUTION 28- 2
RESOLUTION CONCERNING CROSS-BORDER
SECURITY
WHEREAS, the Eastern Canadian
Premiers share the concern of the United States regarding security
of our two countries and understand its importance to the safety
and security of our citizens; and
WHEREAS, the tragic events of September 11,
2001, are a reminder of the growing need for cross-jurisdiction
collaboration in the area of security and that the New England
Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers are eager to
coordinate efforts in order to better protect our common border
and to ensure the security of the population; and
WHEREAS, cooperation between federal
governments must be reflected at the State and provincial level in
matters related to counter-terrorism and natural disasters, as
well as with the municipal level considering the strong roles that
they play in policing and emergency management; and
WHEREAS, New England Governors and Eastern
Canadian Premiers have signed an International Emergency
Management Assistance Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand
their collaboration and capacity for mutual assistance in the area
of emergency preparedness or have expressed their intention to do
so; and
WHEREAS, the Northeast Homeland Security
Directors held a successful meeting in Burlington, Vermont, on
July 24-25 and are determined to increase the existing productive
cross-border dialogue.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the
Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers
reaffirms its support for the work of its International Emergency
Management Group mandated to implement the MOU;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New England
Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers direct their
respective directors of public security to participate in the
Northeast Homeland Security Directors meeting to be held in Québec
in 2004;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New England
Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers direct their public
security, police and emergency management officials to:
- Work closer together to share information and intelligence
on security, terrorism and organized crime, to share best
practices, strategies and expertise, to combine resources to
fight terrorism, protect infrastructure, conduct joint
exercises and training, better coordinate emergency plans, as
well as preventing or responding to terrorist attacks or other
large-scale catastrophes.
- Respect any MOU or agreement between the various judicial,
municipal, provincial, state and federal levels of
jurisdiction;
- Report to the NEG-ECP on progress accomplished in 2004.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Northeast
Homeland Security Directors be invited to report on their efforts
and initiatives at the 29th annual Conference in 2004.
Adopted at the 28th Annual
Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers,
September 7-9, 2003.
_________________________________________
John G. Rowland
Governor of Connecticut
Co-chair |
_________________________________________
Bernard Lord
Premier of New Brunswick
Co-chair |
