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CNN Live At Daybreak

Congress Wants Nation's Airports Equipped with Bomb-Detecting Machines by Year's End

Aired March 05, 2002 - 05:16   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Congress wants the nation's airports equipped with machines that detect bombs in baggage and they want the equipment in place by the end of the year. It's a big order, one that the government is fighting hard to fill.

CNN's Kathleen Koch tells us about it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They have been the million dollar quandary in aviation security, machines that screen checked bags for bombs, machines Congress told the government to put in every airport by the end of the year. But the two approved manufacturers couldn't make the 2,200 needed and it would cost more than $5 billion. Now the government says it's signed agreements with other suppliers.

JOHN MAGAW, TRANSPORTATION UNDERSECRETARY: We can use some of these other companies and now these other companies are looking at, you know, how many they could build in a certain period of time.

KOCH: But they don't have much time or money, their entire budget just $2 billion. So the government is also considering cheaper technology, so-called trace detection systems used to check bags during the Olympics. Some lawmakers believe that would meet the December deadline to have explosive detection equipment in all airports.

REP. JIM OBERSTAR (D), MINNESOTA: What I envision is, totally in keeping with the law, explosive detection systems, trace detection and enhanced X-ray technology that taken together will speed the process of screening checked luggage.

KOCH: Even supporters caution the focus must be not just on getting technology, but making sure it works.

MICHAEL GOLDFARB, FORMER FAA CHIEF OF STAFF: The danger would be to rush technology to meet a Congressionally imposed deadline as opposed to designing technology to protect the public.

KOCH (on camera): Getting the equipment in place come December will mean that for the very first time all checked bags would truly be screened for explosives. Critics say the next issue, determining better ways to respond to threats once they're identified.

Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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