[Dx-qsl] 4A7L confirmations

Tue Jan 10 14:33:12 EST 2006

I guess this includes QSL cards too?????
Tom, WW5L
US says opens some private mail in terrorism fight
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials can open personal mail arriving 
from abroad as part of the fight against terrorism, and do so when they 
deem it necessary to protect the country, a Customs and Border 
Protection spokeswoman said on Monday.
News of the little-known practice follows revelations that the 
government approved eavesdropping on U.S. citizens without judicial 
oversight after the September 11 attacks, which sparked concern from 
civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers who called for 
congressional hearings.
"Customs and Border Protection is charged with making sure that 
terrorists and terrorists' weapons don't enter the country," said 
Suzanne Trevino, a spokeswoman for the customs agency, which is part of 
the Department of Homeland Security.
"One of our areas of responsibility is to inspect international mail 
coming into our country," she said. "We respect privacy and always keep 
that at the forefront, but at the same time we need to make sure we do 
our job in keeping U.S. citizens safe."
Customs and Border Protection's Web site notes that "all mail 
originating outside United States Customs territory that is to be 
delivered inside U.S. Customs territory is subject to Customs examination."
Grant Goodman, an 81-year-old retired University of Kansas history 
professor, drew attention to the policy after a letter he received from 
a colleague in the Philippines was opened and resealed by Customs and 
Border Protection, and only then sent on to him.
He said he was shocked and amazed that the letter -- which he received 
last month from another retired history professor with whom he has 
corresponded for 50 years -- had been screened.
"It was a big surprise," Goodman told Reuters. "The public should know 
that this is being done. Nobody whom I know had any idea that this was 
going on. And as far as I know, it's never been announced. It's never 
been revealed that this is being done."
Trevino said she could not comment specifically on Goodman's case 
because she had not seen the letter and was not sure if it had been 
examined as he said. She did not say how often officials open mail for 
security reasons.
01/09/06 17:58