Ecuador to conduct biometric screening of foreign arrivals
25/11/2008 16:55
Ecuador will apply a biometric system using fingerprints to control the
entry of foreigners, Internal and External Security Minister Gustavo Larrea said
yesterday.
The measure will come into force in January 2009. Trial runs for
such a system are already in operation in some parts of the country, he
said.
Such screening was introduced 15 days ago in the southern areas
bordering Peru, and about eight days ago in the northern areas bordering
Colombia, he said.
Without giving exact numbers, Larrea said the system had
already helped authorities prevent several people with criminal records from
entering Ecuador, including a Peruvian who was wanted in his country.
Larrea
said the test runs should be completed in December. Necessary adjustments will
be made before it is used at the airports of Quito and Guayaquil, two of
Ecuador's main cities.
"In January, the screening system will begin full
operation at all the airports, ports and land entrances of Ecuador," he
added.
Xinhua
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