"United, American and Continental transatlantic flights targeted: Liquids prohibited in carry-on bags"

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Text of Homeland Security Statement on Raised Terror Alert
The Associated Press


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Text of statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff issued early Thursday announcing an elevation in the U.S. threat
level for commercial aviation.

The Department of Homeland Security is taking immediate steps to increase
security measures in the aviation sector in coordination with heightened
security precautions in the United Kingdom. Over the last few hours, British
authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a
substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the
United Kingdom to the United States.
 
Currently, there is no indication, however, of plotting within the United
States. We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the
threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated
or the plot completely thwarted.

For that reason, the United States government has raised the nations threat
level to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United
Kingdom bound for the United States. This adjustment reflects the Critical,
or highest, alert level that has been implemented in the United Kingdom.

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. 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.

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. This determination will be constantly
evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. These changes will take
effect at 4:00 a.m. local time across the country. Travelers should also
anticipate additional security measures within the airport and at screening
checkpoints.

These measures will continue to assure that our aviation system remains safe
and secure. Travelers should go about their plans confidently, while
maintaining vigilance in their surroundings and exercising patience with
screening and security officials.

The United States and the United Kingdom are fully united and resolute in
this effort and in our ongoing efforts to secure our respective homelands.

Officials raised security to its highest level - suggesting a terrorist
attack may imminent-and banned handcarried luggage on all trans-Atlantic
flights. Huge crowds formed at security barriers.

The extreme measures at one of the major international aviation hub sent
ripple effects throughout the world. Officials at Heathrow airport cancelled
most flights from Europe.

The U.S. government responded by raising its threat assessment to its
highest level for commercial flights from Britain to the United States amid
fears the plot had not been completely crushed.

Police are confident they have disrupted a plot against aircraft which was
"intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale," Deputy Police
Commissioner Paul Stephenson said Thursday.

Stephenson said 21 people had been arrested in London, its suburbs and in
Birmingham, and that searches continued in a number of locations.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, vacationing in the Caribbean, briefed U.S.
President George W. Bush on the situation overnight, Blair's office said.

Britain's Home Secretary John Reid said the alleged plot was significant and
that terrorists aimed to "bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight
explosions, causing a considerable loss of life."

"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 U.S. Homeland Security Secretary
Michael Chertoff.

Passengers faced delays as tighter security was hastily enforced at the
country's airports and additional measures were put in place for all
flights, and British Airways said some flights were likely to be cancelled.
Laptop computers, mobile phones, IPods, and remote controls were among the
items banned from being carried on board.

Liquids, such as hair care products, were also barred, and Chertoff's
statement raised the possibility that authorities were searching for a
liquid explosive.

"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," Chertoff said.

The Department of Transport advised all passengers that they would not be
permitted to carry any hand baggage on board any aircraft departing from any
airport in the country.

Prescription medicines were OK; so were eyeglasses but not their cases, the
department said. Contact lenses could be taken aboard in their cases, but
bottles of solution were banned.

Passengers were also advised that no electrical or battery powered items
including laptops and mobile phones could be carried into the cabin.

"I'm terrified really, I'm really scared." said Sarah Challiner, 20, who was
waiting to board a flight from Manchester airport. However, she said she was
reassured by her friends who worked as aircraft cabin crew.

"Eight hours without an IPod, that's the most inconvenient thing," said
Hannah Pillinger, 24, also in Manchester.

London's Heathrow airport was the departure point for a devastating
terrorist attack on a Pan Am Boeing 747 on Dec. 21, 1988. The blast over
Lockerbie, Scotland killed all 259 people aboard Pan Am Flight 103 and 11
people on the ground.

The explosive was hidden in a portable radio which was hidden in checked
baggage.

A Scottish court convicted Libyan intelligence agent Abdel Basset Ali
al-Megrahi of the bombing in 2001 and sentenced him to life imprisonment. A
second Libyan was acquitted.

In 2003, Libya officially accepted responsibility for the attack and agreed
to pay relatives of each bombing victim at least $5 million US.

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