WASHINGTON, D.C. (CMC):

The United States departments of State and Homeland Security say they do not envisage any major problems with implementation of the new passport rules for travellers to the Caribbean and other countries.

Officials said they tracked travellers last week returning from the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada - countries that would be affected by the new air travel rules - and found that over 94 per cent had valid passports.

"So, people have got the message, and that's good news," a State Department release said on Saturday. "It suggests that we will have a relatively seamless transition when the rules come into effect."

Effective tomorrow, all U.S. travellers by air to the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada must have a valid U.S. passport for re-entry into the country. In the past, only a birth certificate or driver's licence was required.

Only 27% have passports

The State Department said that while only 27 per cent of Americans currently have passports, a number of nationals have been filing applications because of the new rules.

The sweeping changes have been made under a new United States immigration policy called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, said the new rules are geared towards deterring terrorism.

"The ability to misuse travel documents to enter this country opens the door for a terrorist to carry out an attack," he said.

The U.S. Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the departments of Homeland Security and State to "develop and implement a plan to require all travellers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States."