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[July 23, 2006]

Asia-Pacific states consider use of smart passports to curb terror

(Gulf News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Manila: Member states of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) have unanimously agreed to help launch smart passports to isolate terrorists, a source told Gulf News.

The smart passport is part of the proposed region-wide Advanced Passenger Information Systems plan, said a source who was privy to the recently concluded meeting of Apec's Business Mobility Division in Hong Kong.

The meeting was part of Apec workshop on biometric technology for smart passports. Apec economies have envisioned a small passport that is no bigger than a credit card.

It will contain personal data of its holder, including data on facial features including the eyes, and fingerprints which can be read by biometric scanners.

Streamline

Proponents believe that the proposed smart passport could streamline the processing of travel documents at airports, said the source.

Representatives of Apec economies have unanimously agreed that smart passports with an enhanced security system would make it easier for legitimate travellers to go through immigration checks at airports and borders, said the source.

Above all, they believe that smart passports can reduce travelling opportunities for criminals and terrorists, said the source.

Right now, technicians are looking into the integration of new technologies for machine-readable travel documents and biometric systems in the smart passports, said the source. But the technology for the smart passport has yet to be perfected, the source added.


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