FoundingFathers
07-30-2003, 05:02 PM
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=EDGP4SYKPPZKSCRBAE0CF FA?type=topNews&storyID=3189073
'Real Threat' of New Terror Attempts, Bush Says
Wed July 30, 2003 02:21 PM ET
By Randall Mikkelsen
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush said on Wednesday there was a "real threat" of al Qaeda attempts to attack the United States, possibly through airline hijackings, but he was confident they would be thwarted.
"The threat is a real threat. ... We don't know when, where, what," Bush said at a news conference when asked about new government warnings of possible al Qaeda attacks.
"We have got some data that indicates that they would like to use flights, international flights for example," he said. "I'm confident we will thwart the attempts."
Bush's expression of confidence came despite planned reductions in airport screeners.
In an action disclosed on Tuesday, the Homeland Security Department last week warned the airline industry that al Qaeda was planning new suicide hijackings and bombings in the United States or abroad.
The United States blames Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network for the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks on the United States.
Several steps were being taken to address the new threat, Bush said. The United States was communicating with foreign governments and airlines, it had improved its tracking of foreign travelers, and hardened cockpit doors were required on international flights to the United States.
The president said it was essential to inspect baggage properly on domestic flights and to screen people boarding planes.
However, the Transportation Security Administration announced plans earlier this year to cut 6,000 airport screening jobs, about 11 percent of the force, by the end of September to meet congressional demands to limit staffing and save money.
Bush said the United States was making headway against al Qaeda. That is despite the failure so far to capture bin Laden.
"We're dismantling the operating decision-makers," Bush said. "The American people need to know we're not stopping. We've got better intelligence gathering, better intelligence sharing. And we're on the hunt. And we will stay on the hunt."
'Real Threat' of New Terror Attempts, Bush Says
Wed July 30, 2003 02:21 PM ET
By Randall Mikkelsen
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush said on Wednesday there was a "real threat" of al Qaeda attempts to attack the United States, possibly through airline hijackings, but he was confident they would be thwarted.
"The threat is a real threat. ... We don't know when, where, what," Bush said at a news conference when asked about new government warnings of possible al Qaeda attacks.
"We have got some data that indicates that they would like to use flights, international flights for example," he said. "I'm confident we will thwart the attempts."
Bush's expression of confidence came despite planned reductions in airport screeners.
In an action disclosed on Tuesday, the Homeland Security Department last week warned the airline industry that al Qaeda was planning new suicide hijackings and bombings in the United States or abroad.
The United States blames Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network for the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks on the United States.
Several steps were being taken to address the new threat, Bush said. The United States was communicating with foreign governments and airlines, it had improved its tracking of foreign travelers, and hardened cockpit doors were required on international flights to the United States.
The president said it was essential to inspect baggage properly on domestic flights and to screen people boarding planes.
However, the Transportation Security Administration announced plans earlier this year to cut 6,000 airport screening jobs, about 11 percent of the force, by the end of September to meet congressional demands to limit staffing and save money.
Bush said the United States was making headway against al Qaeda. That is despite the failure so far to capture bin Laden.
"We're dismantling the operating decision-makers," Bush said. "The American people need to know we're not stopping. We've got better intelligence gathering, better intelligence sharing. And we're on the hunt. And we will stay on the hunt."