U.S., Germany to share fingerprint data

BERLIN, March 11 (UPI) -- The United States and Germany Tuesday agreed to increase cooperation by signing a deal to share access to biometric data from terrorism suspects.

The bilateral agreement was announced at a ceremony in Berlin by top German and U.S. officials including U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, U.S. German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries. Under the agreement, the two countries will provide mutual access to fingerprint databases for evidence in criminal investigations and share biometric and biographic intelligence on suspected terrorist suspects, the U.S. Justice Department reported.

"Beyond the important practical value of this agreement, it symbolizes the joint resolve of Germany and the United States to fight terrorism and transnational crime," Mukasey said in a statement. "The values we share with Germany and our mutual interest in protecting our citizens makes us even more determined to deepen our partnership with Germany. We look forward to implementing this important instrument in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation."

Officials say the intelligence cooperation will also allow both countries access to information about potential planned terrorist threats.

"I applaud Germany's leadership as we work as an international community to deter and defend against those who seek to do our citizens harm," Chertoff said. "This agreement builds upon our strong relationship with Germany to protect not only the security, but also the privacy of our citizens. We must work together against a patient and adaptive adversary; in today's world, our enemies are far less concerned with borders than they are with attacking freedom wherever they can."