The funds the United States is giving Malta in connection with counter terrorism equipment are not a mere “nicety” but is actually done in the interest of the American people, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires William Grant said yesterday.

Mr Grant gave the comment during the official presentation to the Civil Protection of a mobile decontamination unit, used to fight natural or man-made chemical pollution. “This donation is not just a nicety to Malta but it is in our own interest that the Civil Protection Department is supplied with the latest equipment,” Mr Grant said.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and CPD chief Peter Cordina were both present for the presentation. Both thanked Mr Grant for the ongoing support of the US government in this field.

The US’s funds complement some Lm7 million donated to the CPD by the Italian government through protocols agreed between the two countries, with which a brand new fleet of vehicles, fire fighting and life saving equipment were bought.

Dr Borg said the United Nations’ members agree global terrorism must be addressed through a partnership between all countries. “An act against one member state is an act against all states,” he said. In this connection he announced that the Prime Minister had signed a pact in Warsaw against terrorism and its financing.

He described the US’ aid a proof of the longstanding friendship between the two countries despite the size difference. The recent successes in the control of contraband items including stolen luxury vehicles, false cigarettes and other consumer products was due mainly to sophisticated equipment like the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS) donated by the US, he pointed out.

During the first four months of this year an average of 840 containers were scanned every month. With regard to the CPD, Dr Borg said that the department is now very well equipped not only for cases of mundane emergency but also for natural disasters similar to the storms which hit the island in September 2003 storms.

Since 2001, this is the seventh such donation. In 2001 an x-ray van was donated to the customs department; in 2002, personnel from the same department, the CPD, the police and other authorities were given specialised training; in 2003 the Vehicle Cargo Inspection System (VACIS) and the Protector Class Patrol Boat (P51) were donated to the Malta Freeport and the AFM, respectively; last year the PISCES border security system was donated to the Malta International Airport.