U.S. to Contract Foreign Co. to Scan Cargo

Bush Admin. Hiring Chinese/Hong Kong Firm to Scan Cargo, a No-Bid Contract. Why is Bush Outsourcing Our National Security?--BUZZFLASH

By TED BRIDIS and JOHN SOLOMON, Associated Press Writers2 hours, 1 minute ago

One of Americans' favorite beach destinations, the Bahamas, is getting a new U.S. arrival — sophisticated equipment to detect radioactive materials in shipping cargo. But U.S. customs agents won't be on site to supervise the machine's use as a nuclear safeguard for the American shoreline that is just 65 miles away from Freeport. Under an unusual arrangement, a Hong Kong company will help operate the detector.

The Bush administration says it is finalizing a no-bid contract with Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. It acknowledged the deal is the first time a foreign company will be involved in running a radiation detector at an overseas port without American customs agents present.

The administration is negotiating a second no-bid contract for a Philippine company to install radiation detectors in its home country, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. At dozens of other overseas ports, foreign governments are primarily responsible for scanning cargo.