U.S. negotiating for more powers to police the seas

WASHINGTON -- Moving to widen its hunt for terrorists and cut off their weapons routes at sea, the Bush administration is negotiating agreements with nations for new powers to police the world's waters, defense officials said.

The plan being developed, which hasn't yet been approved by the Pentagon, builds on the months-old ship interdiction operation started largely to capture al-Qaida members fleeing Afghanistan across international waters, four officials said on condition of anonymity.

It envisions giving U.S. forces rights to chase down and board vessels not only in international waters but in another nation's sovereign waters in some circumstances -- such as when pursuing ships believed to be carrying al-Qaida or other terrorists whose organizations have global reach. Ships thought to be carrying terrorist weapons or other contraband used to finance them could also be boarded, two of the officials said.

The State Department has been seeking this permission in negotiations with dozens of countries over recent months, two others said, declining to name the countries.

The planning to improve and refine maritime efforts comes as the military looks for more innovative ways to press the war on terrorism -- including, covert commando missions -- now that al-Qaida has largely been crippled in Afghanistan.

Officials said the Sept. 11 attacks heightened fears terrorists would use containers to smuggle themselves or weapons into the country.