"British Police Thwart Major Airline Terror Plot: Major Airport Disruptions Expected"

Thursday, August 10, 2006

British Police Thwart Major Terror Plot
Britain and the U.S. Raise Security Threat Levels
By Fred Barbash
The Washington (DC) Post


British authorities said today they had disrupted a "major terrorist plot"
to blow up flights between the United Kingdom and the United States.

In response, both Britain and the United States issued alerts for heightened
security on all flights between the two countries.
 
Transport officials in Britain also imposed stringent security measures on
all air travelers flying in and out of the country's airports.

British Home Secretary John Reid said in a statement that the operation was
aimed at bringing down "a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions,
causing a considerable loss of life."

He said that police believe the "alleged plot was a very significant one
indeed."

The BBC reported the arrest of 18 people in connection with the plot.

The U.S. government raised its threat level to the highest level for
commercial flights from Britain to the United States early today. It also
stepped up the general level for all flights within the U.S. or entering the
country, wire services said.

"We believe that these arrests [in London] have significantly disrupted the
threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated
or the plot completely thwarted," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff, the Associated Press said.

"To defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, we will also
raise the threat level to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation
operating in or destined for the United States," Chertoff said.

A statement issued by Chertoff said "currently, there is no indication . . .
of plotting within the United States."

"Consistent with these higher threat levels, the Transportation Security
Administration is coordinating with federal partners, airport authorities
and commercial airlines on expanding the intensity of existing security
requirements," Chertoff said.

"Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are
prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from
being carried on the airplane."

He said the changes take effect at 4 a.m. local time across the United
States and will be undated as warranted.

The announcement came a little more than a year after terrorists set off
bombs on London's subway and bus system, killing 52 people.

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