Rio, January 6, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The identification of American citizens who disembark at the Antônio Carlos Jobim Airport, in the city of Rio de January, is being done more quickly, following the adoption of measures by the Federal Police (PF) to reduce passengers' waiting time in the terminal. In addition to reinforcing the number of Immigration Service officers, the PF decided to fingerprint only the passengers' right thumb, instead of using the normal procedure which requires prints of all ten fingers.

The PF's press office also informed that, in the case of children, only those who are 12 years old or more are being identified, and that activity has returned to normal. Yesterday, some waiting lines took over eight hours. (DAS)