ACCESSION NUMBER:255575
FILE ID:EUR312
DATE:11/25/92
TITLE:CHANGES IN PORT ACCESS REGIME ANNOUNCED (11/25/92)
TEXT:*92112512.EUR
*EUR312   11/25/92

CHANGES IN PORT ACCESS REGIME ANNOUNCED
(White House Statement)  (270)
Washington -- The White House has announced that, due to the changing
relationship between the United States and the countries of the former
1oviet Union, some changes have been made to the U.S. port access regime.

Following is the text of the statement released by the Office of the Press
Secretary at The White House November 24:

(Begin Text)
In the past, U.S. national security interests required that measures be
taken to control the access of certain foreign flag vessels to U.S. ports
and internal waters.  The principle objective of this control was to
protect U.S. vessels, ports, harbors, and waterfront facilities from
sabotage or other activities intended to hazard their safety.  In addition,
these steps were taken to protect sensitive operations and U.S. defense
facilities in waterfront areas from espionage and intelligence.

In light of our evolving relationship with the countries of the former
Soviet Union, the following changes have been made to the U.S. port access
regime:

-- New London-Groton, Port Canaveral, Kings Bay, Port Hueneme, and San
Diego, formerly closed ports, are now open for visits by merchant ships
registered in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, subject to
a request seven days in advance of the desired entry and subject to the
concurrence of the appropriate naval authority.

-- Charleston, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Port St. Joe, Panama City,
Portsmouth (N.H.), and Pensacola, formerly open on seven days advance
request, are now open on three days advance notice.

(End Text)
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