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Terrorism Concerns Force Examination of Cargo, Clothing, Teddy Bears

Aired October 14, 2003 - 14:03   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: Well there's disturbing new information about the latest deadly techniques that terrorists may use to try to bring down a jetliner full of passengers. The Department of Homeland Security is warning about explosives inside clothing, pillows, even stuffed animals. Details now from CNN's Patty Davis. She's live in Washington -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the Department of Homeland Security put out a warning in August to airports and law enforcement that terrorist groups have talked about using explosives to bring passenger planes down.

Now the adviser mentions the explosive nitrocelluose. You pack it tightly inside a sturdy container, it is extremely flammable. The agency says in its warning that terrorists could hide this explosive inside the lining of jackets or put it in a toy, fill a pillow with it.

Counterterrorism officials tell CNN that the information about the possible use of nitrocellulose came from detainees and from documents gathered in several raids. But they emphasize that there are no specific plans that have been uncovered.

Now airports have been told -- or we've been told actually that airports have put protective these protective measures in place. They include examining all items that show evidence of tampering and looking for suspicious behavior or dress -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Patty, meanwhile at Boston Logan Airport, new effort under way, screening cargo?

DAVIS: That's right. That airport became the first airport today to test cargo going on to passenger planes for bombs. Now officials unveiled a big screening machine, a big x-ray machine to look and scan trucks as they bring cargo in. If the screeners see anything suspicious, that's when they'll take a closer look. This is simply a test.

Now at his point it's going to on 30 days. And they're look at a few different technologies to figure out how many different machines they need to scan all the cargo passenger planes, where to put these machines out at the airport.

Now, this is just a test, but it is a big step forward. Right now most cargo is never screened before it is put on planes. And some experts call that the Achilles' heel of aviation, a major opening for terrorists -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Patty Davis live in Washington. Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Teddy Bears>


Aired October 14, 2003 - 14:03   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well there's disturbing new information about the latest deadly techniques that terrorists may use to try to bring down a jetliner full of passengers. The Department of Homeland Security is warning about explosives inside clothing, pillows, even stuffed animals. Details now from CNN's Patty Davis. She's live in Washington -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the Department of Homeland Security put out a warning in August to airports and law enforcement that terrorist groups have talked about using explosives to bring passenger planes down.

Now the adviser mentions the explosive nitrocelluose. You pack it tightly inside a sturdy container, it is extremely flammable. The agency says in its warning that terrorists could hide this explosive inside the lining of jackets or put it in a toy, fill a pillow with it.

Counterterrorism officials tell CNN that the information about the possible use of nitrocellulose came from detainees and from documents gathered in several raids. But they emphasize that there are no specific plans that have been uncovered.

Now airports have been told -- or we've been told actually that airports have put protective these protective measures in place. They include examining all items that show evidence of tampering and looking for suspicious behavior or dress -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Patty, meanwhile at Boston Logan Airport, new effort under way, screening cargo?

DAVIS: That's right. That airport became the first airport today to test cargo going on to passenger planes for bombs. Now officials unveiled a big screening machine, a big x-ray machine to look and scan trucks as they bring cargo in. If the screeners see anything suspicious, that's when they'll take a closer look. This is simply a test.

Now at his point it's going to on 30 days. And they're look at a few different technologies to figure out how many different machines they need to scan all the cargo passenger planes, where to put these machines out at the airport.

Now, this is just a test, but it is a big step forward. Right now most cargo is never screened before it is put on planes. And some experts call that the Achilles' heel of aviation, a major opening for terrorists -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Patty Davis live in Washington. Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Teddy Bears>