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Terror Plot Reaction

Aired August 10, 2006 - 13:30   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS: Let's go straight to the newsroom. Carol Lin working details on this developing story. I guess state by state, governors starting to react.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: That's right, and we just heard from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said in a statement that his homeland security department had briefed him on this terror plot, and that he is redeploying the security assets to high-priority locations to respond to this threat, assets including bomb-sniffing dog, the California National Guard, as well as the California Highway Patrol. He's not more specific than that, Kyra. But if you note in Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff's statement, that he said we cannot assume that it has been -- this plot has been completely thwarted or that we have fully identified and neutralized all members of this terrorist network.

So in less than 30 minutes, Kyra we're going to hear from the mayors of Chicago, as well as Los Angeles, on what more is being done and perhaps we'll find out more about these deployed assets Governor Schwarzenegger is talking about, because clearly the state of California taking this very seriously.

PHILLIPS: Great, just let us know, Carol.

LIN: Thanks.

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PHILLIPS: As you can imagine President Bush has been talking with Britain's Tony Blair about this alleged plot for days now.

Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux near the president's ranch in Crawford, Texas.

So he pretty much knew what would happen today, Suzanne?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: We're not sure if he knew if it was going to happen today, but we certainly know that he knew it was imminent, and that these were a matter of days, that he was being informed of the developments, that he and British Prime Minister Tony Blair first discussed this on Sunday.

And interestingly enough, Kyra, we actually got a photo from the White House showing this teleconference call the president was having with Blair on that day. We were told they were discussing the Middle East conflict. What we didn't know at the time was that Blair was also informing him of this plot, this terror plot that was unfolding. In the last 48 hours is really when a lot of those he details came about. We know that the two leaders talked late last night, and that President Bush, of course, signed off on the Homeland Security Council's recommendation to raise the travel alert to red. That happened overnight.

We heard from secretary -- Press Secretary Tony Snow, saying U.S. officials did not know when exactly these arrests were taking place, but that it would happen fairly soon, that U.S. intelligence, as well as security officials, were very much overnight in constant communication with British officials. We also know that they do not -- they're not aware whether or not this coincided or was meant to coincide with the September 11th attacks. They are not aware whether or not this is the work of al Qaeda, although U.S. intelligence say it is similar to al Qaeda type of attacks. Mr. Bush earlier today calling it the work of Islamic fascists.

Now, he described the situation as a very serious threat to the United States, but President Bush, not surprisingly, using this occasion to make the case here that he believes Americans are safer since September 11th, five years ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRES. OF THE UNITED STATES: This country is safer than it was prior to 9/11. We've taken a lot of measures to protect the American people. But obviously, we're still not completely safe, because there are people that still plot, and people who want to harm us for what we believe in.

It is a mistake to believe there is no threat to the United States of America, and that is why we have given our officials the tools they need to protect our people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, Kyra, not surprisingly, that's the message you're hearing from the president, two things, that Americans are safer since the 9/11 attacks and, secondly this is a dangerous world, therefore, the war on terror continues, as the administration arguing that it is conducting that war in an appropriate way. It comes -- the bigger picture here, under a lot of criticism for this administration, with the Middle East conflict, with the situation in Iraq perhaps deteriorating into civil war, according to some military officials. And of course with midterm elections right around the corner, that is the message from this administration certainly hoping to convince American, look, this was a serious situation, but it was thwarted; it was a foiled attack, therefore, believe in us and believe in this larger, broader war on terror that we're conducting -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne, thanks so much. It's more than just Heathrow Airport overseas that's been affected.

CNN's Sumi Das is at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport right here in Atlanta. Depending on how and when you count, well, the busiest airport in the world on many days.

Sumi, what's the latest from there.

SUMI DAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Let's call it the busiest passenger airport. I think that's fair enough. Everybody agrees there.

Well, the situation has greatly improved here at Hartsfield- Jackson Airport since this morning. To give you a sense, by way of comparison, this morning it was taking travelers 90 minutes to get through security, and I just walked through the terminal a short while ago and I spoke to a guy who was in the longest line I could find. He was at the head of the line, and he said it took him about 20 minutes to get to the top of the line.

Now, there may be people who are hitting at home and asking themselves, as they look at their toiletries, to pack or not to pack? Well, the general manager of the airport has some advice to make the screening process as painless as possible.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN DECOSTA, HARTSFIELD GEN. MANAGER: Leave it home or put it in your checked baggage. What we ant to do is -- we're really asking people during this serious period to limit their carry-on luggage. And if you can actually not have carry-on, you'll help everybody. Things will go much smoother and faster through the checkpoint.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAS: Now while the lines may not be so daunting right now, the general manager of the airport does concede that there could be an afternoon push so travelers should certainly leave a little extra time if they have it.

Now, this is, again, one of the busiest airports in the country. And there are 34 flights that leave from this airport that fly directly to the U.K. every week. They have not been canceled; none of those flights have been canceled. They're operated by Delta Airlines and British Airways. However, there are delays, as you might expect. As little as one hour, and up to three hours on the longer side.

Now, the first flight from the U.K. is scheduled to arrive this afternoon. We are looking forward to talking to those passengers to hear what kind of stories they have to tell -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: I think they'll be relieved to be touching down. Sumi Das, thanks.

Well, extra security is also enforced at LAX. CNN's Kareen Wynter is among the crowds at Los Angeles International Airport.

What's it like there, Kareen?

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, no reason for alarm, say officials here at Los Angeles International Airport, adding that, so far, there's no specific intelligence indicating that any of the flights coming into this airport or the airport itself was ever a threat. Still, they're advising passengers to not only leave home early, but be patient, because of what you're seeing behind me; those very, very long lines and the subsequent long delays.

Now, some of the visible security changes that we've already seen here that are in place: some vehicles are being stopped or inspected at a checkpoint outside the airport. There is also extra levels of screenings for fluids. Now, that's set up at certain locations inside various terminals.

I can tell you that most of the flights coming in from the U.K. are delayed. For instance, the first flight -- the flight that's actually due to arrive here at LAX, was a British Airways flight, Flight 279. That was supposed to arrive here at 1:05 p.m. local time, Kyra, but the delay has bumped that back now to 5:10 local time.

But, overall, from passengers that we've been able to speak with here, they say this new ban on having liquids, on having gels in your carry-on bag, is just a minor inconvenience to ensure safety.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got rid of all that stuff. It's all in this bag now, everything that was supposed to be -- that was in here for convenience, has now been transferred to the other bag. So I took another 5, 10 minutes to do that. Have to wait in longer lines. But the peace of mind and security, it's just well worth it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's kind of a pain. Like, at first, I was like, great, it's going to be even worse. But now, you know, as long as everyone gets to where their -- wherever their destination is safely, then, you know, it's fine. It's worth the time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAS: And, Kyra, we're awaiting a news conference that will be held here at LAX at the top of the hour by the California Mayor Anotonio Villaraigosa, who will update the security levels that have been increased, and perhaps more details that his department's receiving -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Great, we'll check in live then. Thanks so much, Kareen.

One of the homes raided by British police is not far from Heathrow. Police say the neighborhood was home to potential terrorists. I'll talk with this council member and lifelong resident of the area, straight ahead on LIVE FROM.

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PHILLIPS: Thirty days and counting of bombs, battles and bloodshed in the Middle East. For the first time, Israel has targeted an upscale neighborhood in western Beirut. Among the buildings hit by Israeli rockets, a lighthouse being used as a cell phone tower. This was a scene all over the Lebanese capital. Leaflets dropped by Israelis warn residents of southern suburbs to pack up and leave ahead of more intense fighting.

And for its part, Hezbollah is keeping up its barrage of northern Israel, at least 136 more rockets today alone. Two civilians were killed in one attack, raising Israel's death toll to 122. Almost seven times that many Lebanese, 834, have died in the fighting thus far.

Diplomats are still hard at work. The goal, a cease-fire with international Lebanese troops patrolling the border. It's still unclear when the U.N. Security Council might put a draft resolution to a vote.

In Iraq, a suicide bomber detonates his deadly payload near a shrine crowded with Shiite worshipers. At least 35 people killed and more than 120 wounded. The blast happened at a security checkpoint near the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

No escape from bloodshed in Baghdad. Three separate attacks today, including a bombing at a Baghdad restaurant. Six people died there. An earlier shootout in western Baghdad between Iraqi security forces and gunmen left four people dead.

Back to the foiled airline terror plot next. One of the homes raided by British police is not far from Heathrow Airport. Police say the neighborhood was home to potential terrorists. I'll talk with a lifelong resident and an active council member in that area, straight ahead on LIVE FROM.

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PHILLIPS: Well, he knows the neighborhood and he saw the raids. We're talking about that terror plot in the U.K. My next guest lives a block away from one of the sites raided by British police. For the past 30 years, Peter Cartwright has served for the district council in High Wycombe 30 miles northwest of London. Peter, thanks for being with us.

PETER CARTWRIGHT, WYCOMBE DISTRICT COUNCIL: That's OK.

PHILLIPS: Well, what do you remember seeing and hearing as those raids went down?

CARTWRIGHT: What -- I switched on the breakfast TV this morning, was watching that, and happened to look out the front window and saw one police car after another going down the road. And then I heard a helicopter hovering overhead, so I put two and two together and my suppositions proved correct.

PHILLIPS: Now, you've lived in this neighborhood awhile. You're an active council member. Were you concerned about this duplex in the past? And what did you know about the people that were living in this duplex?

CARTWRIGHT: I can, indeed -- yes, I can hear you, yes. I know in recent times there have been concerns from neighbors about a new building being erected in the back garden which was supposedly a prayer room, very large building, built in the back garden, which neighbors were very, very concerned.

PHILLIPS: And why were neighbors concerned, Peter?

CARTWRIGHT: They were -- they didn't think the building was being used as a prayer room.

PHILLIPS: What did they think it was being used as?

CARTWRIGHT: They think it's been used for additional living accommodation.

PHILLIPS: What do you mean by additional living accommodations?

CARTWRIGHT: Extra rooms -- this is a thing that's happening very much in the area in recent years. Lots of houses in our town having buildings erected in their back gardens and they've been turned into additional dwellings.

PHILLIPS: So there was concern that there were just a lot of people living in this duplex? That was the only concern?

CARTWRIGHT: And, of course -- well, the house itself is being used to sell up-market car, you know, BMWs, what we call four by fours as well, and that seemed to be done from home.

PHILLIPS: So you thought there was suspicious activity going on inside this duplex?

CARTWRIGHT: I personally had no evidence of that, but some neighbors were concerned about the reasons for its use.

PHILLIPS: Now, as a council member, in a neighborhood like this one, in other surrounding neighborhoods, has the issue of diversity been a topic at council meetings and immigration and the threat of terrorism and -- just because of the neighborhoods that have been raided in the past due to the attacks on the tube there in London?

CARTWRIGHT: Well, of course, that happened on the 7th of July a year ago, just over, and one of the then bombers actually came from a neighboring town called Aylesbury. So we wondered whether anything would happen in High Wycombe. And fortunately, it didn't at that time, but now it's very much -- High Wycombe is very much at the fore with a number of houses being raided today.

PHILLIPS: So, they were talking about these suspects being British-born, but of Pakistani descent?

CARTWRIGHT: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Does that sound like the individuals that were living in this duplex?

CARTWRIGHT: Yes it does. In High Wycombe itself, we've got over 10,000 people of Pakistani origin living in the town, out of a population of just over 70,000. PHILLIPS: Now, the people in this neighborhood, you were saying a number of them work at Heathrow, is that right? Do you know what type of jobs that they have at Heathrow?

CARTWRIGHT: All sorts of jobs, you know, some working on airlines, some people working in cargo terminals or ancillary warehouses and so forth. We used to be very much a big manufacturing town, but in recent years, our industry has declined. We used to make furniture, paper mills, and engineering so people have diversified into other occupations and working at Heathrow is one of the avenues they've explored.

PHILLIPS: Do you know if any of these individuals that lived in this duplex that were taken in by this raid indeed worked at Heathrow?

CARTWRIGHT: No, I can't confirm that at all.

PHILLIPS: So what is the next council meeting going to be like, when you sit down with other council members, considering this environment, what has happened today, the threat of terrorism? Are you going to be doing anything differently in these neighborhoods?

CARTWRIGHT: Well, I served actually on the local community relations council for 10 years in the 1970s, '70 to '79, and I'm chairman of the local community association in that area. Most of the communities actually work very well together. The Muslim community does keep itself somewhat apart socially, because they will not join in our particular way of life.

PHILLIPS: High Wycombe ...

CARTWRIGHT: Although quite a number of them are actually on the local council itself, so they do get involved in that way but don't mix socially with their neighbors.

PHILLIPS: Interesting. High Wycombe council member, Peter Cartwright, appreciate your time.

CARTWRIGHT: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, when we're covering breaking news, you are the eyes and ears of CNN, also. If you capture a great picture or video on your camera or cell phone, send it to us. just Log on to CNN.com or punch I-Report@CNN.com on your cell phone.

And scaling back for safety, but what if you need medicine or formula for your baby? We're going to see what's OK with the TSA when LIVE FROM continues.

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