WASHINGTON, 11 August 2006 — The 21 terrorist suspects arrested in the UK overnight had a “well-advanced plan” to detonate electronic devices or liquid explosives disguised as beverages onboard US-bound aircraft, a sophisticated plot suggestive of Al-Qaeda, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said following British authorities announcement they have foiled a plan to blow up aircraft flying from Britain to the United States.
The plot was to blow up planes in flight from the UK to the US and commit “mass murder on an unimaginable scale,” Scotland Yard said. It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled in hand luggage on to as many as 10 aircraft. American intelligence agencies are said to have been working with their British counterparts for months on the plot to target the airliners. At an 8 a.m. Washington news conference yesterday, Chertoff called the terror plot “well planned, well advanced, and involving a significant amount of operatives disguised as passengers.” He also said that officials are waiting until all the facts are in before labeling the plan the work of Al-Qaeda.
The US also raised its terror alert to its highest level for commercial flights originating in the UK bound for the US to the “red alert” level, which designates the “severe risk” of a terrorist attack in the Homeland Security warning system. It is the first time this level has been used since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. One of the reasons why the US raised the threat level is that not all of the suspects had been arrested. The US has deployed extra air marshals to reinforce security on flights between the UK and the US, Chertoff said.
The terrorists “had focused on a number of airlines which travel between the US and UK and were US flag carriers,” he said, adding the plot was “about as sophisticated as we have seen.” He declined to say how closely linked to Al-Qaeda the suspects were. Throughout the US, air travelers poured out liquids, opened their bags for inspection and endured long waits as airports heightened security and some flights were canceled or delayed.
The airlines targeted included United Airlines, American Airlines and Continental Airlines, two counter-terrorism officials said yesterday, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Officials speaking to NBC News said that New York City appeared to be the main target of the intended attacks. No arrests have been made in the US but an unnamed senior counterterrorism official was quoted in media reports as saying that the plot had the “footprint” of the Al Qaeda. Also, no links have been made to eight missing Egyptian students who failed to register at the Montana State University upon their arrival in the US last month. The Federal Bureau of Investigation tracked down and arrested three students from the same group but eight others are still to be traced. The FBI has said the missing students are not believed to be a terror threat.
Since the news broke, a ripple effect has taken place at the world’s airports. Massive flight delays are already in effect in Europe, with major disruptions on American travel routes. Passengers set to fly out of major US airports have been advised to arrive for flight check-in at least three hours before departure.
At the Dulles International Airport outside Washington, Homeland Security put up hastily printed signs warning passengers in all-red capital letters, ‘’No liquid or gels permitted beyond security.” The signs were taped up at ticket counters as well as the security checkpoints. Passengers dumped liquids into large trashcans that were being emptied every couple minutes. People threw away water bottles, juice boxes, makeup and even a bottle of drinks.
At Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where American is based, extra police and dog units were sent out overnight to patrol terminals and parking garages, airport spokesman Ken Capps said. Passengers appeared to be moving smoothly through checkpoints, he said.
Some passengers were surprised by the ban on flying with liquids at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Baby formula and medicine had to be presented for inspection. To bring baby formula on board aircraft, mothers are being asked to sip it before an official.
Delta Air Lines spokesman Anthony Black said that operations would continue normally and there would be no flight cancellations. But Delta was expecting delays on flights coming from the United Kingdom because of heightened security there, Black said. “This is very, very serious, this is the real deal,” said Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. “We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat. But we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated,” he said.
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney announced the mobilization of the National Guard for additional security in Boston airports; other states with major air terminals were expected to follow suit. President George Bush had detailed briefings and conversations in recent days and was briefed overnight about the plot, White House press secretary Tony Snow said.
“The president has been fully informed of the counterterror and intelligence operation for several days,” Snow said in a statement e-mailed to the media. “The president, prime minister (Blair) and their key intelligence, law enforcement and security officials have been in close and regular contact. And as you would expect, he has spoken to Prime Minister Blair about these developments,” Snow said.
The American Muslim community was quick to react to yesterday’s announcement. The Council on American Islamic Relations sent out press releases saying it “supports efforts to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public, but asked officials to refrain from stereotyping.
“Once again we urge law enforcement authorities and elected officials to caution against stereotyping entire religious or ethnic groups based on the alleged actions of individuals,” said CAIR’s executive director, Nihad Awad.
