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CNN Live At Daybreak
Security Preparations for New Year's Eve Celebrations
Aired December 30, 2003 - 05:01 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. is ordering international air carriers to place marshals on select flights.
As CNN's Kelli Arena reports, the mandate comes as the nation remains on high alert.
KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. now wants armed air marshals on international flights that may pose a terror threat. If airlines do not comply, they could be denied U.S. landing rights.
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: It's pretty clear that it is understood by our international aviation partners that the threat to passenger aircraft is an international challenge.
ARENA: Officials say intelligence continues to suggest al Qaeda and related groups are planning another 9/11 type attack against the United States. Such information led to the cancellation of six Air France flights just last week and a general concern about flights out of Mexico.
RAFI RON, NEW AGE SECURITY SOLUTIONS: It was only on the background of the specific intelligence that was received a few weeks ago concerning such a flight or flights that suddenly everybody realized that this is critical.
ARENA: The threat information is not limited to aviation. There is still concern about possible suicide bombings or the use of a weapon of mass destruction. Officials say their most immediate challenge, deciphering intelligence regarding
RIDGE: We are as concerned today as we were yesterday. We will be concerned as much this week as we were last week.
ARENA: Sources say there is information suggesting there could be an attack, but they do not have any specifics. In New York, which hosts one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations, the planning goes on as usual. MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK: You can rest assured the police department has done an enormous amount of planning. You're going to see a lot of cops there.
ARENA (on camera): Homeland Secretary Tom Ridge says he expects the threat level to remain at orange, or high alert, through at least New Year's Day. After that, he says, the intelligence will dictate any change.
Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington. (END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Flight restrictions will be in place for Las Vegas from 9:00 p.m. New Year's Eve until 3:00 a.m. New Year's Day. Federal officials say the restrictions are a precautionary measure and no specific threats have been made against the city. Las Vegas is considered an attractive target for terrorists because of its reputation for greed and excessiveness. Three hundred thousand people are expected there to ring in the new year.
We'll find out more about security precautions when Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge appears live on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING. Of course, that happens about two hours from now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 30, 2003 - 05:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. is ordering international air carriers to place marshals on select flights.
As CNN's Kelli Arena reports, the mandate comes as the nation remains on high alert.
KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. now wants armed air marshals on international flights that may pose a terror threat. If airlines do not comply, they could be denied U.S. landing rights.
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: It's pretty clear that it is understood by our international aviation partners that the threat to passenger aircraft is an international challenge.
ARENA: Officials say intelligence continues to suggest al Qaeda and related groups are planning another 9/11 type attack against the United States. Such information led to the cancellation of six Air France flights just last week and a general concern about flights out of Mexico.
RAFI RON, NEW AGE SECURITY SOLUTIONS: It was only on the background of the specific intelligence that was received a few weeks ago concerning such a flight or flights that suddenly everybody realized that this is critical.
ARENA: The threat information is not limited to aviation. There is still concern about possible suicide bombings or the use of a weapon of mass destruction. Officials say their most immediate challenge, deciphering intelligence regarding
RIDGE: We are as concerned today as we were yesterday. We will be concerned as much this week as we were last week.
ARENA: Sources say there is information suggesting there could be an attack, but they do not have any specifics. In New York, which hosts one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations, the planning goes on as usual. MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK: You can rest assured the police department has done an enormous amount of planning. You're going to see a lot of cops there.
ARENA (on camera): Homeland Secretary Tom Ridge says he expects the threat level to remain at orange, or high alert, through at least New Year's Day. After that, he says, the intelligence will dictate any change.
Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington. (END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Flight restrictions will be in place for Las Vegas from 9:00 p.m. New Year's Eve until 3:00 a.m. New Year's Day. Federal officials say the restrictions are a precautionary measure and no specific threats have been made against the city. Las Vegas is considered an attractive target for terrorists because of its reputation for greed and excessiveness. Three hundred thousand people are expected there to ring in the new year.
We'll find out more about security precautions when Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge appears live on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING. Of course, that happens about two hours from now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
