Ridge, German minister discuss border technologies

• By Wilson P. Dizard III
• Feb 05, 2003

Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge, in his first meeting as a cabinet secretary with a foreign leader, yesterday morning met with German Interior minister Otto Schily to discuss border security technologies.

Ridge updated Schily on the department's plans to begin operations, HSD said in a brief statement. The two cabinet-level officials discussed plans for port and container security for transatlantic commerce. They also reviewed the future development of international standards for biometrics and identification technologies.

'It was a discussion of how to move forward in making sure we are working on same technology.' HSD spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said. 'This meeting established a continuing exchange of information as we move forward to develop standards for identification technologies,' he said

The department called the talks 'productive.'