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American Morning

Hunting Terror; Terror Worries; Crisis In The Middle East; Threat Level High

Aired August 11, 2006 - 07:00   ET

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

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And airports are still on alert. Extra security in place, including that liquid ban for carry-on luggage. Passengers are being told to expect more delays today.
CNN has an extensive team of correspondents on both sides of the Atlantic working on this developing story. We'll talk about your safety this morning.

Let's get right to CNN's John Vause. He's in Wathamstow, a suburb of London where many of these arrests took place.

Hey, John. Good morning, again.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

We'd like to show you a little bit of what's happening here right now in Wathamstow. It's a suburb in London's east. One of the houses that was raided in the last 24 hours just across the street here. You can see the British bobbies standing outside. There's, in fact, two of them. There's one just inside the doorway there.

Now within the last 20, maybe 30 minutes, more police arrived. They removed bags of what looked like evidence from that property. Clear plastic bags. I counted four of them. In those bags, DVDs, VHS videotapes, as well as what looked like documents. It also looked as if they removed a vacuum cleaner as well.

Now this house here in Walthamstone (ph), just across the road from what we've told is one of the main mosques here in the area. Police have been coming and going from inside this mosque for most of the day as well. We've tried to talk to the people inside there. They say they will not be speaking until after prayers. Maybe in about an hour and a half from now. But others say this mosque is also a focal point of the investigation.

We understand from that list of assets that were frozen overnight, that list issued by the Bank of England, that nine of those who have been arrested came from this suburb here of Walthamstone. Another five also coming from areas not far away. The searches, which have been going on here at this house, also ongoing in other neighbors. In High Wycombe, about 20, 30 miles east of here. Also in Birmingham, which is the second largest city here in Britain.

Soledad.

O'BRIEN: John Vause for us this morning. John, thanks for the update.

Tony.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Let's check in now with CNN Homeland Security correspondent Jeanne Meserve to see how these new security measures are working. Jeanne joins us this morning from the nation's capitol.

Jeanne, good morning.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Tony.

If you are traveling by air today, the recommendation is still that you get there early because of those new security rules triggered by the threat.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE, (voice over): Liquids and gels are piling up at airport screening checkpoints after the terror threat triggered a ban from aircraft cabins.

MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: One of the concerns we had is the possibility of bringing on-board a number of different components of a bomb that each one of which would be benign, but when mixed together would create a bomb.

MESERVE: Experts say the government has long known of the potential explosive threat from liquids and gels but has not closed that security loophole.

GEORGE BAURIES, FORMER FBI AGENT: Mixing gels and liquids and powders that can be poured separately, brought under the scope of any sniffing devices, it's a major concern.

MESERVE: Though the Department of Homeland Security has deployed a wide array of detection devices, it says no machine capable of detective explosive liquids or their components is ready for widespread use. Vendors like Defendertech are already lining up to try to persuade the government that their technologies are the answer.

WAYNE NORRIS, DEFENDERTECH INTL. SOLUTIONS: It would have found any type of liquid. In fact, it would have found a water bottle.

MESERVE: Meanwhile, in an unprecedented step, commercial flights from the United Kingdom to the U.S. are now on the highest threat level, red. All carry-ons were forbidden. Passenger manifests are scoured. Additional federal air marshals are deployed. All other commercial aviation has been raised to threat level orange or high, so customs and border protection is giving all incoming international flights a closer look. And some officials across the country are taking steps above and beyond what the federal government required, activating the National Guard and more.

GOV. MITT ROMNEY, (R) MASSACHUSETTS: So you'll notice at the airport that our state police personnel are carrying automatic weapons. They will also be, as there have been in the past but now at a heightened level, road blocks and random searches.

MESERVE: Because the terror investigation is ongoing, Homeland officials cannot say how long the additional security measures will be in place or whether they will be modified or strengthened.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE: One bit of encouraging news. Some airports reported fewer liquids and gels being confiscated as the day progressed yesterday and screening lines were getting shorter. Anecdotal evidence that travelers were getting the message and packing liquid and gels in their checked luggage.

Tony, back to you.

HARRIS: OK, Jeanne, thank you.

Well, travelers are being encouraged to pack their patience today. Several airlines -- Delta, Continental, Northwest and United -- all telling passengers to arrive three hours early. That's for both international and domestic flights. And it looks like it's working. Here's Miami International Airport just a few moments ago. More travelers are aware of the new security measures, which is helping to keep delays down. At Logan Airport in Boston, once again, just moments ago, flights are just about, oh, 15 to 20 minutes behind schedule. That's pretty close to normal. But we will keep watching that situation.

Now let's look at some of the new security restrictions. Liquids are no longer allowed on your carry-on bags and can't be taken through security checkpoints. That includes any beverages of any kind. Also shampoos, lotions and things like that. And don't think you can just pick up a new drink after passing through security. Those also can't be taken on the plane. Baby formulas and some liquid medications can be taken on board but they must be inspected first. Also remember to remove your shoes and send them through the x-ray machine, laptops, cell phones and even iPods are all banned on flights going to Britain. iPod batteries were among the items mentioned as possible detonators in the alleged plot.

AMERICAN MORNING's Bob Franken is at Washington's Dulles International Airport for us.

Bob, good morning.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And that list that you just gave out, Tony, is really subject to change. As a matter of fact, when you talk to the TSA security people, when you talk to other airline officials, when you look around this airport, you get the impression, the strong impression, that this is going to be something that's going to be changing.

Another impression you get is that this airport is probably quieter than you might expect on the heavy business travel Friday. People are getting used to this new routine no matter however long it's going to last. It's quite a contrast to what the situation is coming from London as we found out from the incoming passengers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN, (voice over): With a hug came a huge sigh of relief as inbound passengers from London finally got back to airports throughout the United States. And as tight as the security was here, it was far more severe on the other side of the Atlantic. Not only were carry-on liquids forbidden, but as Carol Herny (ph) and the others found out, so was just about everything.

CAROL HERNY: People put their purses and their laptops and they told us that we couldn't take anything but our passports and our wallets. That's it. No keys. No electronic devices. Nothing.

FRANKEN: Whatever items they were allowed to take went into clear plastic bags.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was full restrictions. You had to check every belonging to put on the plane. A hundred percent bag inspection.

FRANKEN: The London airports were described as calm, but intimidating, certainly for passengers like Michelle Temple (ph) of Naperville, Illinois, who was traveling with her two boys, ages eight and four.

MICHELLE TEMPLE: We got there about quarter to 6:00 this morning and my son noticed there was dogs around and guys with machine guns and then that's when everything started happening.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought, I don't know what's happening. I was like what's happening?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How did things seem different to you this morning?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. All of the sudden you just saw dogs and all these guys with machine guns walking around.

FRANKEN: How did you feel about it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Scared, kind of.

FRANKEN: By most descriptions, the rigid security was greeted with a, what are you go to do, response. Ken Bower (ph), and his wife, Beth House (ph), were heading home to Davis, California, but were certainly happy this leg of the journey was over.

How do you feel now that you've landed?

KEN BOWER: Glad to be back home.

BETH HOUSE: Well, hungry, tired and happy.

BOWER: Yes, thirsty.

HOUSE: Ready for a beer.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: Well, that welcome to the United States greeting that people get when they land here for many of the incoming passengers, Tony, has never been more welcome.

HARRIS: Bob, just a quick question. Now, handbags, you know, personal purses, are folks checking those or are they still trying to get those through in on their planes?

FRANKEN: They're coping. They are really having to endure searches, that type of thing, although they're really getting this down to a routine. Almost anything that is in that handbag is probably going to have to go into the carry-on luggage. And, Tony, I know how you like to listen to your iPod on the plane.

HARRIS: Thank you. Thank you.

FRANKEN: I don't think that's going to be happening for a while.

HARRIS: Yes. Yes. Sounds like it. OK, Bob Franken for us at Dulles International Airport in Washington. Bob, thank you.

O'BRIEN: We're going to talk more about this alleged terror plot in just a moment. First, though, we want to turn to the crisis in the Middle East. Today could be the day when the U.S. Security Council votes on a draft resolution that is aimed at stopping the violence between Israel and Hezbollah. It appears the U.S. and France are close to breaking the deadlock and U.S. Ambassador John Bolton says a vote could happen today.

Attacks go on though. Beirut's southern suburbs have been pounded by Israel again today. CNN's Anthony Mills live in Beirut with the very latest for us.

Hey, Anthony, good morning.

ANTHONY MILLS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

That's right. Against the backdrop of this flurry of diplomatic activity, the bombardment does go on. A couple of hours ago or so at least two explosions we heard here that echoed across the city and that's following, of course, a night of heavy bombardment of the southern suburbs, the Hezbollah stronghold part of the capital that really has been pounded throughout much of this now weeks' old conflict. A lot of devastation there. Pancaked buildings and rubble everywhere.

Also bombardment of a bridge in the north of the country, close to the Syrian/Lebanese border. There internal security forces tell us that 11 people were killed and 13 injured.

And in another development, this time in the south of the country, Soledad, U.N., United Nations spokesperson here is telling us that United Nations forces here are going to be helping with the withdrawal of over 350 Lebanese army soldiers and police forces from an army base in the town of Marjayoun in the south. That, of course, you'll recall, is the town that was effectively occupied by Israeli forces yesterday and they also occupied that army base from which these forces, these Lebanese army forces and police forces are going to be escorted out effectively by the United Nations.

Now there is one problem and that is that apparently the roads leading out of Marjayoun, of that village there, that town, are smashed. The infrastructure strikes have destroyed the routes out of there. So the United Nations is looking to heavy machinery inside Marjayoun to fill in some of these gaping holes in the roads and get those people out of there.

Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Anthony Mills for us this morning in Beirut. Thanks, Anthony.

Let's get right to the forecast. It's 10 minutes past the hour. And Chad's got a look for us what's ahead.

Hey, good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, much more on that alleged plot to blow up from planes flying from Britain to the U.S. The search is still on for suspects. So who's missing? Where are they? We'll check in with the president's Homeland Security adviser just ahead.

HARRIS: And later, the plot's possible connections to al Qaeda. We'll look at the clues that point to al Qaeda's involvement. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FRAN TOWNSEND, HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISER: Some and we're continuing to look for others.

O'BRIEN: Twenty-four people under arrest. We are told that there are many who are still be sought. What's the role of those who are sought? Is it leadership positions? Some people are just unable to be found who were leaders? Are these low-level members? Do you know their role potentially?

TOWNSEND: Well, first of all, I would say to you, it's a variety of roles. But let me say this. You can appreciate, Soledad, that in the war on terror, with law enforcement officers on the street, we're not going to talk about the people and the operations that are ongoing.

O'BRIEN: Right, obviously, and I would never want you to give any specific indications that would jeopardize an investigation in any way, shape or form. Yet I would think that viewers and passengers and citizens on both sides of the Atlantic would be curious to know, are you looking for low-level folks or are you looking for leadership that somehow has managed to get out of the dragnet?

TOWNSEND: Well, let me say this, and let's talk about what we do know about the plot. The plotters intended this to be a second September 11th. It's a frightening example of multiple, simultaneous attacks for explosions of planes that would have caused the death of thousands. We take this very seriously and we wouldn't have been successful without the cooperation of our allies overseas and we've really seen also unprecedented cooperation here inside our own government between intelligence and law enforcement, the prosecutors who have been involved and we've looked at all aspects of the things that terrorists need to operate and survive, whether it's travel or money, their techniques and how they're adapting them to be sure that we're adapting our screening procedures to stay ahead of them and thwart this. And so in many ways it's an example of how we've advanced and we've progressed to be most effective in the war on terror.

O'BRIEN: Question, of course, is, is there another plot? And if there is, what is it? There was a U.S. official quoted in "Time" magazine saying plan a has been stopped, but the concern, of course, is there a plan b. Can you advise us on that? I mean is there a sense that we are safe, people should fly today? Or is there a sense that with the 9/11 anniversary approaching, a big anniversary, five- year anniversary, that the terrorists still right have a plan b?

TOWNSEND: Well, there's no question that to the extent that there are leads, and we are following them. That's the highest priority for Director Mueller at the FBI. Soledad, I think the president said it best. We're safer, but we should not take comfort in that. We constantly work against this every day. We need the vigilance not only of our officials, but of the American people. I tell people, yes, it's safe to fly and you should take comfort from the procedures that you see in place. While it causes a temporary inconvenience, obviously the inconvenience is nothing when you compare it next to the threat.

O'BRIEN: Yes, no question about that. But for the long range and for overall homeland security, what's it going to look like? I mean is it going to be no more carry-on luggage? No more bottles of water and bottles of Gatorade on airplanes? Is that going to be part of the new rules? Not this week and next week and two weeks down the road, but next month and the next year?

TOWNSEND: No, I think what you've heard from Secretary Chertoff and the Department of Homeland Security and their officials is that we're going to look to adapt our screening procedures to address the threat, but to reduce over time as much inconvenience as we possibly can while remaining effective.

O'BRIEN: Fran Townsend, Homeland Security adviser. Nice to see you. Thanks for talking with us this morning. We appreciate it.

TOWNSEND: Thanks, Soledad.

HARRIS: And this just in to CNN. We want to show you the latest pictures just in to CNN of the aftermath of another air strike. This is in Tyre, Lebanon. The IDF again with helicopters we've seen just moments ago in the air and now some of the aftermath.

Great. This is a shot from just moments ago. We've got on tape of a helicopter, Israeli helicopter, in the air over Tyre, Lebanon.

And now back to the live pictures, if we could, of the aftermath of another air strike in the city of Tyre, Lebanon. This is an area that has been devastated over the last few weeks by just a barrage, just a pounding by the Israeli military as the offensive continues into southern Lebanon. Tyre, the site where so many of the Katyusha rockets have been fired from.

Once again, the aftermath of the latest air strike by the IDF on Tyre, Lebanon. We will keep an eye on these pictures coming out of Tyre and bring you the latest as we get the information.

Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, an update on the repairs at the nation's biggest oil field in Alaska. AMERICAN MORNING's Ali Velshi went to Alaska for some answers. He'll tell us why attention is now turning to, no joking here, pigs. We'll explain.

Plus, we'll tell you why folks in one town decided a big primary race with the toss of a coin. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: The new security restrictions at many airports taking a toll on businesses that count heavily on air travelers. Andy's here "Minding Your Business."

This could hit a couple of these businesses pretty hard, Andy.

ANDY SERWER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, you know, Tony, always this unintended consequences of a major move like this. Think about it. You can't bring bottles of liquids on to airplanes. What companies sell bottles of liquids? How about duty-free shops, The Body Shop, even stores that are just selling, you know, bottles of cans of Coke and Pepsi.

Let's run through this, first of all. Duty free shops, very concerned right now. They get 60 percent of their business from selling alcohol and perfume. You can't bring those on carry-on anymore.

Now The Body Shop has about 14 stores in airports in the U.S. They said they've closed seven of them. And, you know, they're only really selling soap because all those perfumes and creams and lotions you can't bring on again.

Stores that sell, you know, just regular, say stores that sell newspapers and notions and drinks, it's actually a mixed bag. Because while they're selling fewer drinks to bring on planes, the lines are so long that people are going to the stores and buying more stuff. So they're still . . .

O'BRIEN: You just have to drink it ahead of time. SERWER: Yes, you drink it in line. By the time you get to the end of the line, apparently, your drink's all done anyway.

O'BRIEN: It's going to be hugely complicated. Even more complicated than it is now to travel with children because if you're only -- I mean you can't bring . . .

SERWER: If you want your drink and mommy -- the kid starts crying and I want my apple juice and what do you do.

O'BRIEN: Right, what do you do?

SERWER: We'll, we're going to be sorting all this out.

Some other business headlines to tell you about. BP has signed two major deals to supply pipes to replace the pipelines that are broken up there in Alaska. Deals with U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel. But it also looks like the damage may not be as bad as initially thought. They may only be shutting down half of the pipeline.

And finally this morning, news to tell you about concerning GM. GM is going to be slowing down production of its super large SUVs. Well, that makes sense, doesn't it?

HARRIS: Yes. Yes.

O'BRIEN: Finally.

SERWER: And we're talking about Tahoes, Yukons and Suburbans and the like. Here's just -- these are some great little factoids right here. Large SUV sales year-to-date down 22 percent. Gasoline prices year-to-date up 28 percent. A correlation? I think so.

HARRIS: Yes.

SERWER: Absolutely.

HARRIS: Right.

SERWER: So that's some business headlines for you guys this morning.

HARRIS: Boy, but those SUVs made those companies a whole lot of money for a lot of years.

SERWER: That's a problem, Tony, because they're very profitable for GM. So they're selling less and that really is going to hurt them.

O'BRIEN: The problem is you've got to be ahead of the curve on all this. You can't decide now when those percentages are where they are.

SERWER: Right. Although, better late than never.

O'BRIEN: I guess. HARRIS: Better now (ph) than late, is that what you said?

SERWER: Yes, that's true.

HARRIS: Thanks, Andy.

SERWER: You're welcome.

O'BRIEN: Coming up this morning, police say it was a major plot to blow up planes flying from Britain to the U.S. We'll take a look at the clues that point to al Qaeda.

And the political impact. What does it all mean for the midterm elections and beyond? That's ahead. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Happening this morning.

The U.N. Security Council could vote on a resolution today to end the violence between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution has been held up over last-minute objections by Lebanon.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi in India is alerting Americans of possible terrorist attacks in that country. And an e-mail from the embassy warning that militants could be planning to carry out bombings in New Delhi and in Bombay.

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