Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa left on Wednesday for a week-long visit to Israel designed to provide insights into strengthening anti-terror security.
The purpose of the mission, which has been in the works for months, is to receive inputs from Israel's impressive security apparatus on how to make improvements at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the city's mammoth seaport, the mayor said before his departure.
The trip will help increase safety and security in Los Angeles, the top target for potential terrorist attacks west of the Mississippi River, said Villaraigosa.
During his visit, Villaraigosa will sign an agreement to bring in experts from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport to review security at LAX and other city-owned airports, and enhance the Los Angeles Police Department's relationship with the Israeli International Institute for Counter-Terrorism.
"It's an issue that I spend a lot of time on," the mayor said.
Villaraigosa is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, President Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski, which reflects the importance of Israel-Los Angeles ties and the priority accorded by both to improving security, the Los Angeles mayor said.
"The relationship between our region and Israel is real, in terms of people, in terms of programs, in terms of commerce and in other ways," said Jack Weiss, one of three City Council members joining Villaraigosa on the trip.
"While it is typical to go, it is not typical to reach agreements such as the one between the Ben Gurion security team and LAX -- that is unique and path breaking and will make LAX more secure," he added.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article