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CNN Sunday Morning
Terrorist Attack on a British Airport; U.S. Airports on Heightened Alert
Aired July 01, 2007 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: A witness to the terror attack on one of Britain's main airports. Men on a mission to kill, using a jeep as their weapon.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Also the big impact at home. U.S. airports on heightened alert on this busy holiday travel weekend.
Good morning to you all from the CNN Center here in Atlanta, Georgia. It is Sunday, the first day of July. We are in July.
NGUYEN: Can you believe it already?
HOLMES: Already. Hello to you all, I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Yes good morning everybody I'm Betty Nguyen, we want to thank you for starting your day with us. Well do want to let you know that there is a lot of new information this morning so lets get you up to speed right now. Britain is on edge and under a terror alert, the threat level very critical.
HOLMES: Now critical, that means further terrorist attacks maybe imminent. New pictures now just into CNN, increased police presence in a small town near Glasgow; they are searching homes in the wake of yesterday's fiery attack at Glasgow's main airport. Now here is the latest on the investigation we are now learning that there were only two people in the SUV that crashed into the terminal building at Glasgow Airport, not three as police originally reported.
NGUYEN: Also four suspects are in custody, two from the scene of the attack in Glasgow and then two others arrested in northern England. HOLMES: also, investigators have confirmed that the Glasgow Airport terminal attack and the two unexploded car bombs in London are in fact linked.
NGUYEN: Well CNN's Nic Robertson is in Glasgow monitoring the situation there and we are going to join him live in just a few minutes. But first we do want to turn to CNN's Paula Newton who is standing by live in London with the latest on the developments over night. Good morning Paula what do you have?
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you Betty. To clarify what went on last night, we were reporting that there were three suspects. Our sources close to the investigation until very late last night were told that they assumed there was a third suspect in the car. In the middle of the night, Scottish police did in fact inform them that they were certain there was no one else in that vehicle, and clarified that for them.
In the meantime, two dramatic arrests on a highway, pretty much halfway between London and Glasgow. Again an operation carried out by unmarked cars, witnesses saying that traffic was stopped across three lanes. These people were then arrested without incident. Now, as you pointed out, the search is going out in Glasgow. What police are look at now is that they have told sources close to the investigation, again telling CNN that when they looked at the two car bombs in London they now believe that at least one of them, the original that we had looked at in front of that nightclub, there was an attempt to detonate it remotely, possibly, they believe there was also an attempt to detonate the car remotely from that second car, the one that was moved from close to Trafalgar Square and then ended up at that parking garage.
What police are looking at is two failed attempts to detonate those car bombs remotely. They believe that possibly, when this failed, that's when we then saw the trigger of the event in Glasgow, a different event attempted by essentially police believe, at this point, some type of terrorist attack that could have involved a suicide mission. That's why the tactics were changed. Police yesterday were very much on edge. The reason is that they tell us that what happened in Madrid after the Madrid bombings is very much in their mind to remind everyone when they went on the manhunt after those incredible train bombings they found suspects that were bobby trapped and they had a very explosive event go on in the suburbs of Madrid. And they didn't want a repeat of that that's why they were so careful about the car, so careful about a device they found on the suspect who is still in critical condition in hospital.
To recap now, four suspects in custody. You have one detained in Glasgow, originally from the incident at Glasgow Airport. The person in the Jeep with him in hospital, in critical condition. And then two other suspects apprehended on the highway between London and Glasgow late last night. And that's the information we have on the investigation right now. Very clear to point out that Prime Minister Gordon Brown this morning is linking this to al Qaeda and telling everyone here that this will be a sustained effort in terms of the fight against terror.
NGUYEN: CNN's Paula Newton, thank you for that update. A lot of new developments overnight. We will stay on top of all of it as it continues today.
HOLMES: A lot of the information we were getting yesterday were from eyewitness accounts. We have a lot of eyewitness accounts to that attack.
NGUYEN: One of them from an airport employee who tried to help police subdue one of the suspects. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN SMETTON, GLASGOW AIRPORT EMPLOYEE: Looked to my left, the Jeep and the front of the terminal, the rear end of the vehicle is on flames. I saw a man come out of the passenger side of the vehicle. A policeman running across to assess, the man then attacks a policeman. I seen this happen and I thought I have to run and give the policeman a hand. I ran, other members of the public as well, we tried to subdue the guy, and he is not going to be subdued. He was throwing punches.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you give clues?
SMETTON: He was speaking Arabic, saying Allah. Every time he threw a punch he was saying Allah.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: We are going to hear more from those eyewitness accounts a little bit later this hour.
HOLMES: Well the U.S. is not raising its terror alert status unlike the British incidents, the national threat level here remains a yellow, that is the third highest indicating an elevated threat to Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff says there is no indication of a threat to the U.S.
But U.S. authorities are tightening security at airports and other transportation facilities. We are going to go live now to CNN's Kelli Arena on the Homeland Security front. Good morning to you Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning T.J. Well anyone traveling this morning is sure to feel the repercussions from that situation in London. Travelers are being urged to allow extra time for security at airports and other facilities. U.S. officials say as you said there is no information that there's any specific threat to the United States, but out of an abundance of caution they are taking extra precautions. One official says this new regime doesn't differ significantly from what is in place now but be more visible and more intense.
For example there will be more vehicle inspections and there will be increased canine patrols. This aviation sector has been at threat level orange, that's one step above the rest of the nation that is since a plot was discovered last year to blow up aircraft with liquid explosives, but there are no plans to increase the overall threat level at this time. Officials say stay vigilant but go out and enjoy the holiday coming up, the Fourth of July. Nothing that they have is specific or credible pointing to a threat against the United States at this time.
HOLMES: All right. Once again, Americans being asked to stay vigilant keep an eye out but go about your business. Kelli Arena for us this morning, thank you very much.
ARENA: Your welcome. .
HOLMES: And mean while, CNN is committed to providing the most reliable coverage of news that effects your security. Stay tuned to CNN for the latest day and night.
NGUYEN: Well you are about to look at some live pictures; here they are from airport tower cameras in Philadelphia, Washington and also in Los Angeles. Officials say the heightened security at U.S. airports is a deterrent against potential attacks, that's a key word there, potential attacks. They stress it's not a response to a specific threat. The Transportation Security Administration sent information to airports about stepping up police activity, particularly outside the airports.
More now on how the increased security might affect air travelers as we head towards the Fourth of July holiday. CNN's Jim Acosta joins us from New York's LaGuardia Airport with a look at the precautions there. Have you seen stepped-up security around the airport, both in and around, I should say?
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Since the police have used bomb sniffing dogs and other detection devices here at LaGuardia and New York's other airports to make sure what happened over there doesn't happen here. America's airports are on guard once again. At New York's LaGuardia International police officers carried assault rifles and hustled cars away from busy departure terminals. Even the city's rapid response units, the so called Hercules teams were diverted from their exercises on the streets of Manhattan to the big apple's big airports, all part of the nations response to the attack in Scotland.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL BALBONI, NEW YORK DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY: We have to take a look a global threats. Particularly as they relate to allies and close partners like London. So when there are threats over there for specific facility or modalities, we also look at that and try to make sure we have a security presence.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: Even as security officials stress there is no specific threat to the U.S. air transit system, terminals from the southeast to the northeast to California ramped up police presence. Passengers could see the difference.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEREMY GREENE, AIR TRAVELER: It makes me feel that things are safe in terms of traveling. That everything is under control.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: But so far the up tick in airport security has yet to result in major delays for travelers who may be crossing the country for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JILL DILL, AIR TRAVELER: No inconveniences what so ever, we flew in from Kansas City today, flights were on time. Airports were busy but no inconveniences.
(END VIDEO CLIP) ACOSTA: Security officials say greater visibility is important but so is a vigilant public if alert citizens can foil a car bomb plot in London, so the thinking goes they can do it here, too.
Betty.
NGUYEN: All right. Jim Acosta joining us live from New York's LaGuardia Airport this morning, thank you, Jim.
HOLMES: Well it certainly appears these incidents were planned but were they well thought out?
NGUYEN: How sophisticated were those plans? We will talk to a security expert about that.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, DOT COM DESK: Good morning, I'm Veronica De La Cruz at the dot com desk. As the terror investigation continues, we will look at the headlines online from the U.K.
HOLMES: Also, a huge concert in memory of Princess Diana about to get under way. You can bet this terror threat is effecting how people are getting ready.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: The airport in Glasgow, Scotland now partially reopening this morning. That while investigators looks over the wreckage of yesterday's fiery attack on the city's main airport terminal. Police are also searching homes outside Glasgow. CNN's international correspondent Nic Robertson joins us live from the airport. What's the latest in this investigation, Nic?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well the very latest is that about 5:00 in the morning, just a few miles from here, a couple minutes drive from the airport, the police sealed off a street in a very quiet residential village, a nondescript street. They started going into the number 6 of Nuke Crescent, that house, a two story three-bedroom house, very nondescript. Residents we are talked to there said it's a house that's been rented out recently, that they don't really know who goes there. The people there keep a low profile. The police still have that area sealed off.
At the airport there's chaos. People who are coming for flights quite literally have to drag their bags down the streets here. There is a long line, perhaps a half-mile to a mile long a single file line as people wait to go through very, very tight security just to get inside the airport building this morning. For the police now, they have linked that search to the attack at the airport here, and that going on in a house a couple minutes drive away.
NGUYEN: Let me ask you about that house, Nic. You know the area; you followed the links of terrorism for many years now. Is that particular neighborhood or that community an area where terror cells are known to live and work?
ROBERTSON: It's come as a complete surprise to people who live on the street there. In the past, when we've followed some of the terror attackers before, the trail has led back to their houses in perhaps less well-off neighborhoods, in neighborhoods where in many cases it's been a Pakistani community. This is a -- a very, very average, nondescript street. There are Mercedes outside some houses, BMWs outside others, new vehicles. Very, very quiet neighborhood. The people told us that they -- that about four months ago they believe it was rented by two men. They described them as being Asian.
When people here describe people being Asian, they generally mean perhaps of Pakistani origin. That's all of the people who live on that street can tell us. Police are not telling us why they are looking at that house other than it is linked to the attack on the airport here.
Betty.
NGUYEN: All right. CNN's Nic Robertson, we appreciate your information this morning. Of course we will be talking to you throughout the day. Thank you.
HOLMES: Veronica De La Cruz of the Dot Com Desk has been following the Glasgow Airport attack as it has been reported on the Web. A lot of stuff out there.
DE LA CRUZ: A lot of chat rooms, message boards. Right now we will focus on the Websites of the major British news outlets. Some of the more interesting items on the BBC's Website. This is the article posted there this morning of the police search of homes not far from the Glasgow Airport. The piece also says Muslim leaders in Scotland are holding an emergency meeting over fears of a backlash against Muslims over the latest terror incidents.
Many people who were at the Glasgow Airport yesterday took photos of the fiery event. The BBC Website has posted this slide show of the pictures as the event unfolded. During the incident, a bystander was credited with knocking one of the alleged attackers to the ground so police could arrest him. The BBC has this audio clip from a man describing what happened. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The police approached and tried to restrain the Asian fella, but he got up and started fighting with the police, and the airport officials. And they -- I managed to knock the Asian fella to the ground, the police got on top of him. They got on top of him and restrained him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DE LA CRUZ: Some of the first images that went out from Glasgow were taken by a cell phone camera. I know you guys remember this. The BBC has posted that video on its site as well as a time line of the incident as it was logged by the Scottish police. The first report was filed at 3:15 local time and said a car had been driven into the front of the terminal, four people taken into custody. Police later amended that to two people in custody. The seventh dispatch was filed about eight hours later. We would like to get your reaction to this news. Let us know how you feel about this latest incident out of the U.K. And if you're flying today, send us your pictures, your video, let us know what you have been seeing, maybe you have been seeing an increase in security. Send your e-mail to WEEKENDS@CNN.com. The first shots were taken with a cell phone camera.
NGUYEN: Which is often the case these days. Just about everybody has a cell phone and many have a camera on it. Thank you.
DE LA CRUZ: WEEKENDS@CNN.com. All right.
NGUYEN: A special investigation tonight on Britain's radical Muslims. Christian Amanpour looks at the war within. That airs at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
HOLMES: You are sitting at home, the next thing you know a plane slams into your house.
NGUYEN: Can you imagine that? That is exactly what happened here in Arkansas. Take a look. The plane killed one woman, but it didn't just affect her. We will show you the dramatic story here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It has been raining for 18 days in a row in Oklahoma City. For north Texas, they had 15 inches of rain in 72 hours. Are they ever going to catch a break? I'll let you know coming up in a few moments here on CNN SUNDAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Britain's new prime minister says the country is dealing with a long-term threat from terrorism. We want to get some perspective now from a security expert, Sajjan Gohel is the director of International Security for the Asian Pacific Foundation, and he is on the phone with us from London. Thank you for your time today. Are we lucky that it appears maybe some of these terrorists are incompetent?
SAJJAN GOHEL, DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY: Yes, indeed. I think we're extremely lucky that both the plots in London and in Glasgow failed, primarily because the terrorists could not put together the device effectively. We have narrowly averted two major mass casualty atrocities. What is jarring, though, is at this time these plots are not so elaborate or sophisticated, they didn't involve hijacking planes or attacking the transportation system. The situation remains precarious because a dangerous precedent has been set. These types of incidents could easily be replicated without much planning or advanced strategic assistance in the future.
HOLMES: So, even though they are incompetent, the simplicity of the plan, so to speak, and the simplicity of the bombs, simplicity of the tools being used makes them tough to keep up with, tough to trace. This is stuff you can go get anywhere and put together. You don't need a high level of sophistication to put these bombs together. It's a matter of being smart enough to pull it off.
GOHEL: This is it. This type of attack is called a vehicle-born improvised explosive device. We have seen this very effectively used day in and day out in Iraq. It's also been used by al Qaeda-affiliated groups in Bali, Mombassa, Casablanca, it has never happened before in western Europe, but the point is is that it is not that difficult to assemble it. These individuals did not have the intelligence to actually put the device together and make it work. They had made the mistakes in their assembling of it. I don't want to go into detail about the errors they made, but the simple fact is that this situation could easily reprise itself, not just in the UK but anywhere now in the west. This will give ideas to other terrorist groups of how to fix the mistakes and make sure the next time, if it does happen, they will be more successful.
HOLMES: Is this now ushering in a new era for news terrorism because even though these weren't successful to the extent the terrorists wanted, is this ushering a new era because other would-be terrorists are seeing this, seeing how simple it is and they know they can get away with it, it's a matter of being smart enough to pull it off. Are we look at a whole new phase to where we will see more attacks than we are used to seeing in the Middle East, we are going to start seeing them in Europe, we are going to start seeing them possibly even in the U.S.?
GOHEL: You have to keep in mind that outside affiliated groups always learn from their mistakes. They will look at this situation and make sure what happens in the future they would have corrected. Keep in mind what happened last year with the major Transatlantic plot, where airliners were going to be hijacked and blown up across the Atlantic traveling from the UK to the United States. That was a major plot. Required a lot of people, it was very elaborate. For those reasons it failed.
This time you are looking at a very basic type of attack it doesn't require much manpower it is cost effective, it is very simple. The situation is such that it could easily be done by individuals that have been born and brought up within our own society. We know that the major alerts have been increased all across Europe, at the UK where it's the highest emergency level. Certainly I think the U.S. will be concerned about this because we do know there have been plots that have been foiled since 9/11 in the United States. There have been much more elaborate ones, but certainly you have to keep in mind that just because it's failed, we get into a comfort zone. That's what the terrorists are banking on. They will use that complacency to strike.
HOLMES: All right. A reality check there for us all. Again, the Sajjan Gohel, director for the International Security for Asian Pacific Foundation, thank you very much for your time.
GOHEL: My pleasure.
NGUYEN: Let's take to you Iraq. Three Iraqi policemen died in a roadside bomb blast today and the body of a bullet-riddled police commander was found in Basra. Just the latest in violence in Iraq. Much of it has been hitting the volatile Anbar Province. This morning we are joined by Marine Colonel James Mundy, he is in Baghdad. And Colonel the first thing I want to talk to you about is the violence in the Al Anbar area. There for a while it appeared that it was really spinning out of control, I that there has been a surge in that area. How has the progress been in that surge?
COL. JAMES MUNDY, U.S. MARINE CORPS: I think, as the surge force that's come in for the surge, Betty, we are seeing a lot of good progress. In the area that I'm working, every day is a different day. There's some days that are slower and some are faster. Some days are good, some are bad. Over the long-term, and we have not been here that long, only about 17 days, but just in the 17 days I've been here, I think we made fairly good progress. I speak with my contemporaries, the units or commanders that are operating units that are adjacent to me, I spoke to one recently and said hey, have we made an impact to your operations? That's a way to measure the success of a surge force. And his response was yes, indeed, we have.
NGUYEN: It's one thing to make an impact during a surge but it's another thing to make sure some kind of sense of peace and order is stabilized in the area once those forces leave. So let ask you this what are you doing to create some sort of permanent stability? Are you working with local tribal leaders? What's being done?
MUNDY: Both. Yes, we are working with -- we will begin to work with local tribal leaders. I've only been on the ground operating for such a short period of time; we have not generated that kind of activity. But we intend to. And more closer to our actions, we are intending to work with the Iraqi security forces, the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police because they'll have a vested interest in the areas that we're operating in. So it's both. We fully intend to work to that end.
NGUYEN: Very quickly, let's talk about those Iraqi security forces. There are a lot of eyes looking at them to make sure they are ready and able to protect the areas of Iraq, especially the volatile regions. How is the security force in that area coming up to speed?
MUNDY: Again, I have not been here that long to make an assessment. But the forces, the commanders that I talk to who have been working with them say they are much like other forces, in any other country. Some are better than others. They're not up to the standard of U.S. forces, but they're getting there. Some are quite good. In fact, I spoke with a commander yesterday who said he'd go to war with some of these units that he's working with any time. I think it's progressing along with all the other operations in this area.
NGUYEN: All right. Marine Colonel James Mundy joining us from Baghdad with an update on the surge there in the volatile Anbar Province. We thank you for your time.
HOLMES: The attack in Scotland Glasgow Airport, suspects are detailed. We will have the very latest.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Matthew Chance, reporting from London, where a concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana is taking place amid tight security as Britain faces a new wave of terror attacks.
NGUYEN: Also this: radical Muslims conflicting with Catholics in Britain. It is a war of words over religion. That is in today's "Faces of Faith".
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, good morning, everybody. And welcome back.
HOLMES: I'm T.J. Holmes. Glad you could all be with us this morning.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen.
We want to thank you for starting your day with us. We also want to bring you up to speed on the terror alert right now in Britain.
HOLMES: Yes. Right now, police are searching homes in a small town outside of Glasgow. They cordoned off an area around at least one home. It was part of the investigation into yesterday's fiery SUV attack at Glasgow's main airport.
NGUYEN: None of the bystanders at the airport were seriously injured. Some even jumped in to help police subdue the suspects. It was quite a scene there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We saw the flames, like, coming out. And there was a lot of police and ambulance. Like, very many people, so we couldn't see how many people were there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did hear a blast, sort of a bomb or something, just like something explodes. I heard one, and I couldn't hear anymore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Here's the latest on the investigation.
We are now learning that there were only two people in the SUV that crashed into the terminal building at Glasgow airport, not three, as police originally reported. Also, four suspects are in custody; two from the scene of that attack in Glasgow, and two others arrested in northern England.
HOLMES: Also, investigators have confirmed the Glasgow airport terminal attack and the two unexploded bombs in London are, in fact, linked.
Certainly a tough first week for new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. A native of Glasgow, he's now dealing with a terror threat for all of Britain. Interviewed this morning, he offered this encouragement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GORDON BROWN, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We will have to be constantly vigilant, we will have to be alert at all times. And I think the message that's got to come out from Britain and from the British people is that, as one, we will not yield, we will not be intimidated, and we will not allow anyone to undermine our British way of life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And most Britons do appear to be carrying on as normal. The Princess Diana tribute concert, that is going on as planned, organized and hosted by her sons, princes William and Harry.
This show is scheduled to begin in just a few hours from now, so let's take you live to CNN's Matthew Chance at Wembley Stadium in London.
I want to ask you here, Matthew, are folks just filing in as if this was another day, a celebration that they wanted to attend, despite all that has gone on with the terror alerts?
CHANCE: Well, because there's such an important terror alert here in Britain, security has been dramatically stepped up amongst the preparations for this concert to commemorate the death of Princess Diana. Scotland Yard says that at least 450 police officers will be patrolling this Wembley area in the west of London, using their stop- and-search powers to try and disrupt any possible plan to attack or target this concert.
There's no intelligence, we understand, indicating that this place may be targeted by terrorists, but certainly the threat level in this country has been raised to critical, the highest level, and that indicates, according to the authorities, that some kind of an attack is imminent, and that's why we are seeing increased security at airports, at public installations, and places where there are mass public gatherings like this venue where thousands of people, music fans, will be turning up to listen to the likes of Elton John, Take That, Joss Stone and others who have come here to pay tribute to Princess Diana -- Betty.
NGUYEN: So do you expect many people will show up as originally planned, or because of these terror alerts, that folks may think, you know, maybe we should stay home, sit this one out?
CHANCE: I can't imagine that happening, although obviously I can't rule it out. But some people will decide not to venture into central London at this time. But I certainly think that this concert is going to go ahead regardless of the severe terrorism threat.
It's been the -- it's been the brain child of princes William and Harry, the sons of Princess Diana. They have gone through an enormous effort to try and attract acts to it. And they've been very successful at it. And there are, of course, millions of people in this country that have still great affection for their mother, Princess Diana. And so I think a lot of people will turn out here and it will go off as planned. NGUYEN: And we've heard throughout the week as we've been covering these terror alerts, Matthew, that many Britons take really the attitude that it's business as usual, life goes on. So we'll see how it turns out for the concert.
Thank you for that -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right, Betty.
Meanwhile, Glasgow's airport partially reopened this morning. And in spite of yesterday's close call, passengers are lining up to catch their flights.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where are you going?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Going to so Cyprus this morning.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And they've (ph) reopened.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're already (INAUDIBLE). So we have been standing at the entrance, so we're assuming that the airlines have told us to come this morning and the flights are leaving as normal. So hopefully they will be.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How long have you been standing?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Since half six this morning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, show you here now -- want to show you the scene at Orlando's airport last night as passengers arrived from one of the last flights out of Glasgow before that attack. It was a Virgin Atlantic flight, and passengers say they knew nothing of the attack until they landed in Florida.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTY FAIRCLOUGH, PASSENGER FROM SCOTLAND: Very, very lucky. Feel very lucky. And just hopefully they'll get it sorted out and everything will be fine for us going back, and everything will be fine while we're here on our holiday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, security also ramped up today at the world's busiest airport. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International has more than 80 million passengers a year. That compares to 8.9 million for Scotland's Glasgow's airport. Passengers arriving in Hartsfield talked about the stepped-up security in Britain.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, there was more than when we came in to London about two weeks ago, so it was noticeable. There were police officers above us with guns on -- you know, at the upper level. So that was more noticeable. I didn't notice that when we came in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Again, officials say the increased security at U.S. airports is a precaution, not a response to any specific threat.
NGUYEN: Well, President Bush is keeping close tabs on the London terror alert from his family's vacation home in Maine. White House spokesman Tony Snow says there are no plans to raise the terror alert status here in the U.S.
A senior White House official does tell CNN the administration is not overly concerned, saying the British incidents, while terror related, don't appear to be professional or tied to al Qaeda or any other entity. Now, the national threat level does remain at yellow. It is the third highest, indicating an elevated threat.
The British terror scare is the leading topic on CNN's "THIS WEEK AT WAR". That's a little bit later today. Tom Foreman and our correspondents also look at the Iraqi troop buildup, and today's meeting between presidents Bush and Putin.
"THIS WEEK AT WAR" airs at 1:00 Eastern.
Also, you'll want to stay with CNN for all of the latest developments on the British terror threat. CNN's John Roberts will anchor "AMERICAN MORNING" from Glasgow, Scotland, where a flaming jeep was sent crashing into the airport. You can catch that tomorrow morning beginning at 6:00 Eastern.
Let's talk a little bit about that fiery crash, because it really came out of nowhere.
Also, another fiery crash that seemed to come out of nowhere. It's this one right here in a home in Arkansas. We're going to tell you about a woman who was just really injured, and another person was killed because of this.
Stay with us for that story.
HOLMES: Also, a conflict of faith in Britain spills into neighborhoods. We'll take a closer look at "The War Within".
Stay here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Want you to look at this video here. It's something that you don't see every day for good reason. A small plane crashed into a house in Conway, Arkansas, killing two people. That crash happened near Conway Municipal Airport.
Authorities say the pilot apparently ran out of room while trying to land on a wet runway. They say he tried to return to air, but his plane slammed into the house. That pilot and a woman in the house were killed. A passenger in the plane and another person in the house were able to survive.
We are also closely watching events in Britain this morning. On alert in the wake of the attack on Glasgow, Scotland's main airport terminal. Right now police are swarming into one small town searching for clues. So you'll want to be sure to stay with CNN throughout the day for the latest on this developing story.
HOLMES: A battle going on in Britain between extremist Muslims and their moderate counterparts. The government tries to squash radical activity under terrorism rules, yet their movement survives.
CNN Special Investigations Unit takes a closer look now at "The War Within".
Here now, Christiane Amanpour with a preview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANJEM CHOUDARY, MUSLIM RADICAL: One day, you will conquer Rome!
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: Allahu Akbar!
CHOUDARY: One day -- one day you will conquer the White House!
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: Allahu Akbar!
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Anjem Choudary is the public face of Islamic extremism in Britain. His group, Al Muhajiroun, disbanded before the British government could outlaw it under its new anti-terrorism rules, but that hasn't shut Choudary up.
CHOUDARY: Whoever insults Islam or insults the Prophet Mohammed deserves capital punishment!
AMANPOUR: That was Choudary's inflammatory rhetoric just days after Pope Benedict's controversial speech about Islam.
CHOUDARY: Pope Benedict, you will pay!
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: Pope Benedict, you will pay!
CHOUDARY: The Mujahideen are on their way.
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: The Mujahideen are on their way!
AMANPOUR: Outside Westminster Cathedral, British Catholics looked on in disbelief.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They can stand outside our church and abuse us, and abuse our religion and abuse people we hold dear, with absolute impunity.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The simple question to the Christians is, do you condemn what the pope said? Do you condemn the pope?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I don't condemn...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you condemn what the pope?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What he said...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes or no? Do you condemn the pope?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If any of us was to amble up to, you know, the mosque at Regent's Park and say anything in regards to Allah or Mohammed or what have you. Best case scenario, take away the police for inciting racial hatred. Worst case scenario, attacked by a bunch of thugs wearing tea towels on their heads.
CHOUDARY: Democracy, hypocrisy.
AMANPOUR: Even away from the bully pulpit, Choudary, who is a lawyer, not a cleric, continues to advocate extremist views, like calling for Sharia, Islamic law for Britain.
CHOUDARY: All of the world belongs to Allah, and we will live according to the Sharia where we are. This is a fundamental belief of the Muslims. You know, if I was to go to the jungle tomorrow, I'm not going to live like the animals.
AMANPOUR (on camera): Anjem, basically, a lot of what you're saying is, it's my way or the highway. I mean, how does that kind of logic fit into a democratic state like the one we live in now? And like the one you live in? You live here by choice. Do you not believe in democracy?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't at all. We believe that people must live according to the Sharia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And you can learn more about Britain's radical Muslim tonight from CNN Special Investigations Unit, "The War Within". That airs at 8:00 Eastern.
NGUYEN: Well, the buzzer has sounded on the latest dash for campaign cash. Presidential candidates are required to report their contributions quarterly. And midnight last night marked the end of the second quarter.
Senator Hillary Clinton says her campaign will have raised in the range of $27 million. But her chief rival, Senator Barack Obama, says he has attracted about 150,000 new donors. The candidates have until July 15th to actually file their fund-raising reports.
So, might the Glasgow attack affect how we vote for president? Well, at 9:00 Eastern, CNN political analyst Bill Schneider examines which candidates benefit when Americans are scared.
HOLMES: Also, fast and furious. A CNN I-Reporter looks in her back yard to find a river runs through it. That story minutes away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWSBREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: We do have some breaking news to report to you right now.
We understand police in Scotland have confirmed that there has been another arrest in the terror probe there in Scotland. Also in London, as well.
As you know, on Thursday there were two car bombs that were found in the wee hours of the morning. And just yesterday, a car, a fiery vehicle, plowed into the Glasgow airport. Two people were taken into custody at that time. So far, we have learned that that number has grown from two to five, if you add this latest terror arrest.
And what they have been doing this morning near Glasgow is searching a home in a neighborhood fairly close by, looking for information, looking for suspects. Don't know if the latest arrest comes from this neighborhood that you are looking at pictures of, but we do know, according to police there in Scotland, that there has been another arrest in this terror probe.
Now, we're going to be learning so much throughout the day, and an ongoing investigation is occurring in many of these different facets of this terror investigation. But at this point, there are many searches that are taking place in a neighborhood there in Scotland which we showed you. And the latest news is police have confirmed there has been another arrest in that terror probe, bringing those in custody to five at this point.
So, as soon as we get more information on this, we will bring it straight to you -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right, Betty.
Well, today's CNN Hero is a woman who walks the streets in the middle of the night and is on call 24/7. It's all to help victims of human trafficking right here in the U.S.
Here now, today's CNN Hero.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Let's go again.
TINA FRUNDT, CNN HERO: Men, women and children are being sold each day for somebody else's profit. I think when we hear about trafficking, we automatically think about what goes on overseas. However, our own children in the U.S. are being forced out every day at 9, 10 and 11 and 12 years old. KITTY, AGE 17: Sometimes they beat you. They make you go out there, make you stay out all night. They really don't care. You can be 9 years old and you can work for them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: People are raped and beaten into submission to do it. You can be killed and, you know, it wouldn't make a difference to other people, because other people would think of you as a prostitute.
FRUNDT: My name is Tina Frundt. I'm a survivor of child trafficking within the United States at the age of 14.
In my situation, I was a child, and a grown adult who was in his 20s started paying attention to me, telling me how beautiful I was, picking me up from middle school. I found out that he was actually a pimp by going with him to another state. Some of the things I went through is the manipulation, the violence, and the abuse. I went through it, so that's why I think I'm so dedicated to helping others.
I'm the director of Outreach for Polaris Project, and I fight to end human trafficking. I don't want what happened to me happen to somebody else. What we do is offer services to women and children who want to get out.
Basically, our outreach program started 2 1/2 years ago. We go out to the street and hand out information. We actually go into the courtroom and do outreach. We take clients of all ages. Our youngest client has been 9. The oldest so far has been 40. Please get the number, call any time, even if it's just to talk. Our lines are open 24 hours a day.
I think in this job you have to love what you do and have a passion for it, because it's not a job to me, it's my life. And I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All I could see was a blue torch. I saw a blue torch flame, you know, just a big flame, but it's not coming out like you'd expect.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: A terrorist attack on one of Britain's main airports. Who is behind this second attack and is the U.S. at greater risk this morning? Hello to you all from the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This is Sunday, the first day of July. I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: And what a month it's been so far. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. I say that because we have a lot of new developments to tell you about in that terror probe. We begin with breaking news in the Britain terror plots. Police now saying an arrest has been made in Liverpool, England. Part of the growing investigation into the attacks at Glasgow's Airport and the car bombs found in London early Friday morning.
So let's get right to CNN's Paula Newton, who is live in London. And we want to clarify, because the searches have been going on near Glasgow, at a home, in a community there. But this latest arrest was actually made in Liverpool, London.
NEWTON: Yes, and police confirming that an arrest has been made. What they refuse to confirm is whether or not it had anything to do with the vehicle that was towed away from Liverpool Airport yesterday. Now, when we had the increased terror alert here in Britain yesterday, we have heard very quickly after that that the John Lennon International airport at Liverpool had been closed. After that, we received news that police had towed away a vehicle and that had gone to a forensic lab for investigation.
Now this following an arrest in Liverpool. Police will not confirm if it has anything to do with that car that was towed away. All they're saying is it has something to do with the national terror alert here. To bring everyone back up to date again, that makes a total of five people now that are under arrest in connection with the two car bombs found in London and the incident yesterday at Glasgow Airport. You know, Betty, yesterday evening sources close to the investigation told us to expect what they believe will be a domino effect of arrests and searches today, and that is what we're going to follow for you throughout the day.
Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Paula Newton with the latest on the arrests that are being made. And the searches that do continue in this probe. Thank you, Paula.
HOLMES: New British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says this will be a long-term fight against terrorism in an interview this morning. He said Britain's may have to prepare for random car searches in the wake of the car bomb discoveries. Still, he's encouraging people to return to normal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORDON BROWN, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We will have to be constantly vigilant. We will have to be alert at all times. And I think the message that's got to come out from Britain and from the British people is that as one, we will not yield, we will not be intimidated, and we will not allow anyone to undermine our British way of life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: The terror threat not expected to interfere with today's Princess Diana tribute concert. Security has been stepped up at London's Wembley stadium, and the show is scheduled to begin in just a few hours. It was organized by Princes William and Harry. And today would have been Princess Diana's 46th birthday. We're going to have a live report from Wembley stadium that is coming up next hour. HOLMES: The U.S. has not raised its terror alert status in the wake of the British attack. It remains yellow or elevated. But there is tighter security at airports and mass transit systems across this country. We get more now from CNN's Kelli Arena on the homeland security front. Good morning, Kelli.
ARENA: Good morning, T.J. Well travelers are urged to allow extra time for security here in the U.S. Officials say that there is no information that there is any specific threat to the United States, but considering that, a, this is a holiday week, b, what's happened in the UK it only makes sense to up that security. Now, the new regime won't be that different from what's in place right now. It will just be more visible. Officials say more intense.
For example, there will be more vehicle inspections, increased canine patrols, and more secondary inspections at airports. And T.J., I've been checking in with several intelligence sources here in the U.S. to see if there is any information that's been uncovered in London that would lead investigators back to the U.S., and so far, the answer is no.
And there is also no intelligence suggesting attacks against the U.S. are imminent. So as you said, no plans to raise the national threat level. Officials are encouraging everybody to go out, you know, just like they are in Britain, you know, go out, be vigilant, but go about your business.
HOLMES: Kelli Arena for us on the homeland security front. Thank you again, Kelli.
ARENA: You're welcome.
NGUYEN: Well, the stepped-up security at U.S. airports comes just days before the July 4th holiday, and for more on what travelers can expect, let's check with CNN's Jim Acosta. He joins us live from New York's LaGuardia International Airport this morning. Obviously, it's going to be a busy weekend, but will passengers, folks who are trying to catch a flight, will they notice the beefed-up security in and around the airport?
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, I think they will, Betty, I think they will notice extra security here at the airport. We're at LaGuardia Airport. We were out here yesterday and out here this morning, and while you do see some bomb-sniffing dogs, police officers carrying assault rifles, this is pretty much another day at the airport. If you look behind me, you can see folks unloading out of vehicles, heading off to their flights. But essentially, it's pretty much what you would normally see at the airport on any other day. We have cars lined up behind us just as they normally would. And perhaps, what might be a little out of the ordinary is the police officers acting a bit more aggressively in terms of hustling the cars along, making sure they don't linger too long in front of the front doors here at the terminal.
Security officials here in New York aren't taking any chances. They did spring into action yesterday as a result of the terror attack in Scotland, and they said, based on events in Great Britain, they really had no other choice.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL BALBONI, NEW YORK DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY: We have to take a look at global threats, particularly as they relate to allies and close partners, like London. So when there are threats over there for specific facilities or modalities, we also look at that and we try to make sure we have a security presence.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: And while they are relying on greater visibility, New York security officials say they're also relying on the public. It's the old adage; if you see something, say something. Betty.
NGUYEN: That makes perfect sense; because in a lot of cases, it is what some people are calling luck that these instances are discovered. Quickly, Jim, if people are noticing small increases in security, is it creating longer lines, is it causing any frustration?
ACOSTA: You know, we are seeing longer lines this morning than we saw yesterday, but I'm not sure that's as a result of the security. We're not seeing a whole lot of people out here getting questioned. The police, while they are visible, aren't really interfering with the traveling public as far as we can tell. There are long lines this morning, but that may be as a result of this July 4th holiday coming up more than anything else, Betty.
NGUYEN: It's also a Sunday, and people trying to get back home and get to work. Thank you, Jim, I appreciate it.
ACOSTA: That's right.
NGUYEN: Of course, we will keep you updated on the London terror alert. John Roberts will be anchoring live from Glasgow, Scotland, on CNN's "American Morning." You want to tune in tomorrow morning beginning at 6:00 a.m. Eastern.
HOLMES: Fighting terrorism likely to be on the list of topics for Presidents Bush and Putin today. The Russian leader arrives this afternoon at the Bush family home in Maine. CNN White House correspondent Ed Henry joins us now from Kennebunkport with a preview. Good morning, Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, T.J. As you know, there already was a packed agenda for President Bush and Putin, including Iran, Kosovo, as well as missile defense, and they have to deal with that packed agenda in a short amount of time. Mr. Putin will only be here for essentially about 24 hours, but you can bet, as you noted, Mr. Bush will now be also adding this to the agenda, at least talking to President Putin about what he knows.
We know that Mr. Bush in between his recreation, some of his vacation here at the family compound in Maine, has been almost constantly getting briefings about both situations, at Glasgow, as well as in London, all of those incidents. And the U.S. is taking this seriously enough, as you heard from Jim Acosta, that there has been beefed-up presence at U.S. airports, enhanced police measures, deterrents in the words of White House spokesman Tony Snow yesterday, but the U.S. is stopping short of raising that terror threat level. They're not following what British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has done.
In part, White House officials say that's because they do not have any specific credible threats against the United States. But also, in the words of one senior White House official, in the initial reports that they have been briefing President Bush about in the first 24 hours or so, these incidents do not appear to be professional. They appear to be, to White House officials, amateurish in some ways. They did not accomplish the goal of terror, obviously killing large-scale numbers of people. The White House obviously thankful for that, but still trying to be on guard as their British counterparts are.
And U.S. and British officials are working together to try to get to the bottom of all this. And as you can imagine, security also a big issue here in Kennebunkport. You essentially have three presidents here for this mini summit. The current President Bush as well as President Putin and then President Bush's father. He is actually the host of this summit, since it's at his house. T.J.
HOLMES: All right, our Ed Henry for us there in Kennebunkport, Maine. Ed, thank you, as always.
NGUYEN: Want to show you this, a fast-moving wildfire in Utah. An 11-year-old boy actually escaped those flames, but three others well, they weren't so lucky. The latest on the battle to bring the blaze under control that is coming up.
WOLF: And fires out west and rain still into the central and southern Plains. I'll let you know when people in Texas and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas can get a break. That's coming up in a few moments right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
HOLMES: Also, a heightened terror alert in London and Scotland. U.S. airports beefing up security as well, but is that enough? We're talking terrorism with a security expert later on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
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NGUYEN: That's a way to wake up in the morning. Yes, this is our second installment, as T.J. calls it, "implosions r us." This is the second building in Rochester, New York, at the Kodak Park, that has gone down in two days. This is building number 23, to be exact. And what a plume of smoke it has left behind. These Kodak buildings were built in the 1960s and large crowds have actually come out to see them go down. Part of the reason for this downsizing, shall we say, is because a lot of the efforts there at Kodak have really moved from film to the digital era, and so therefore, they are having to tear down some of the buildings and downsize in their own way to keep business afloat.
HOLMES: That was a pretty good one, and we've seen plenty of implosions. NGUYEN: But we didn't hear the boo-ya, like we heard yesterday.
HOLMES: We are borderline implosion experts, and this is one of the best we've seen. Very nice for the crack staff of implosion finders for bringing this to us.
NGUYEN: Investigators. Implosion investigators.
HOLMES: We have a whole unit here at the CNN Center dedicated to folks looking for implosions. So thank you.
NGUYEN: And we'll have many more in the days and weeks to come, so mark your calendars.
HOLMES: They're telling us to wrap, stop talking about the implosion.
NGUYEN: Because we have severe weather to tell people about.
HOLMES: We do. This has been a mess and it continues to happen for the folks in parts of Texas. Continuing to run for higher ground. The Brazos River in Texas expected to rise above flood stage. Folks are seeking higher ground for the second time in a week. Storms in Texas have been blamed for at least 11 deaths.
NGUYEN: And the bad news is, it is still raining. Reynolds Wolf has been watching this. In fact, you've even gone down to the area and seen it for yourself. What in the world is going on with this stalled system?
WOLF: The big problem we have is we always have a log jam, if you will, in parts of the Atlantic. Big area of high pressure, as long as it stays put, a lot of this rain will remain in place, kind of like a traffic jam, if you will. Take a look, guys. We have a lot of green, and a lot of it's dark and a lot of it's light, and that indicates flash flood watches and warnings scattered across parts of Missouri, into Kansas, Oklahoma, even into Texas as well as Arkansas. We can expect most of the rain to continue.
However, much of it is now moving along parts of the Mississippi River, not too far from Paducah back over to Pocahontas, even Jonesboro, Arkansas. Back towards Springfield we are seeing some heavy showers beginning to pick up.
Not a lot of activity in Oklahoma, because much of that is beginning to move into Arkansas and northeast of Dallas, along I-30, we're seeing raindrops there. Problem is, we could see more of that activity through much of the afternoon hours, anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of rainfall, when the fact is, we don't need any rain at all. And it certainly is going to be in the cards not just for today, but for the first half of the workweek.
Back to you.
HOLMES: All right, Reynolds. We appreciate, it as always. We'll check back with you shortly. NGUYEN: Let's take you to Utah now, where this fire has killed three people. Hot temperatures and dry conditions fueled the fast- moving flames. Then when you mix in some high winds, well, this fire quickly became unpredictable. Utah officials say the fire surprised three men working in a hay field. A young boy with them was able to escape.
HOLMES: A quick look now at what's ahead this morning. Terror in Scotland. How the U.S. reacts. Our national security adviser John McLaughlin joins us, ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): If you travel for business, you know healthy eating habits can suffer on the road. But fitness expert Fred Brinkmeyer by Design says that doesn't have to be the case. First, he says, order without looking at the menu. That might help you to avoid temptation.
FRED BRINKMEYER: If you're used to eating grilled chicken and steamed vegetables, order grilled chicken and steamed vegetables.
COSTELLO: Got to go to the drive-through? There are healthy options.
BRINKMEYER: Something grilled, chicken typically the best. A lot of restaurants now have salads, and even fast food places.
COSTELLO: A productive day starts with a healthy breakfast, but beware of the buffet. Your best bet is to stick to healthy choices like oatmeal, fruit, and low-fat yogurt. For lunch and dinner, take a few extra minutes to make a healthy choice. One other tip --
BRINKMEYER: Take some extra fruit with you throughout the day, have it throughout the day so you have something fresh.
COSTELLO: Carol Costello, CNN.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DE LA CRUZ: I'm Veronica De La Cruz at the ".com desk." Coming up the UK on the highest alert. How the World Wide Web is covering the story. A closer look when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, new terror threats have been made in the UK and Veronica De La Cruz has been following the story online. And what have you been finding?
DE LA CRUZ: We are going to concentrate on CNN.com, which has relaunched, our own Website has relaunched, and it's giving you the most fully integrated story-telling, using text, pictures, videos, charts and maps. Taking a look at the top story right now, "UK on highest alert." Here you'll find the latest information on those arrests that have been made after this week's terror incidents.
Also, take a look at this gallery, which shows photographs of exactly how events at the Glasgow Airport unfolded minute by minute. A quick click brings up a video link to that article. This is airport worker John Smitten, describing a man covered in flames coming from that burning Jeep Cherokee.
Also, you can sound off about this story. We have made it easier than ever to see what the bloggers are saying. That's right at the bottom of the story. Then getting you back to the front page, our quick vote today. Does the London bomb terror alert make you not want to visit the city? Twenty six percent are saying yes, 74 percent are saying no, and 45,000 people have voted so far.
There are a myriad of different events taking place in London today. There is the gay pride march, the Princess Diana tribute, and Wimbledon. In the next hour we'll take you to some of these events on the World Wide Web. Also wanted to remind you out there to send us an e-mail, WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We are gauging your reaction to these events that have taken place over the past week, and we've gotten a lot of e- mails, and we hope to share those in the next hour.
NGUYEN: Okay. Looking forward to that.
DE LA CRUZ: CNN.com has relaunched. Don't forget.
NGUYEN: It's a great new look.
DE LA CRUZ: It is sleek. CNN.com 2.0.
NGUYEN: Very great.
DE LA CRUZ: T.J. --
NGUYEN: Get with, it my friend.
HOLMES: I will.
NGUYEN: In the meantime, he's going to the newly relaunched CNN.com, and we'll talk about the fact that there is beefed-up security at U.S. airports on the heels of the British terror alert. But the U.S. threat status has not been raised. So, joining us by phone now to talk about this is CNN national security adviser John McLaughlin. Thank you for being with us this morning.
JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Good morning, Betty.
NGUYEN: The first thing I want to ask you is, there is always a fear that the terror that's happening in the UK could spread here to the U.S. How real is that?
MCLAUGHLIN: I think it's the prudent way to think about it, Betty. There have been cases in the past where terrorism in Britain has been connected to the United States through the presence in the U.S. of at least one person who had knowledge of the plot. So we don't know enough about this one yet to know whether that's the case, but the only prudent thing to do here is to assume that there could be some reflection of this attack in the United States.
NGUYEN: Well, here is what we do know about the plot, is that three vehicles were used, and it does appear that they were all connected in some way. The two car bombs did not detonate, and the third fiery vehicle that crashed into the Glasgow Airport yesterday. Have we been ushered into a new era where car bombs, ones that we see in Iraq being used sometimes on a daily basis and other places, are the method of choice?
MCLAUGHLIN: That's the concern here, Betty. I think we've been waiting to see the migration of this technique from Iraq to an urban area in the west. Too soon to know whether this is that migration, because we don't have all the facts on this case yet. But again, if you're a British security official, that would be the assumption that you're testing here.
The other thing I would say is that there have been terrorists arrested and jailed in Britain in the past, including one with an al Qaeda connection, in 2004, a man who used this kind of target. So we don't know whether there is an al Qaeda connection here to Iraq or other parts of al Qaeda, but again, if you're an investigator that would be an assumption you're testing, and I think it's a fair possibility at this point.
NGUYEN: You know, U.S. officials keep reassuring the public that there is no credible threats here, but you used to work with the CIA. So tell us, what is happening behind the scenes right now to ensure safety?
MCLAUGHLIN: Well, at this point, the CIA and the FBI will be in close touch with mi-5 and mi-6, and with the British, other security authorities. Mi-5 is their version of the FBI; approximately, mi-6 is their version of the CIA. The British will give the United States complete transparency, complete visibility into the investigation so that any information the United States has will be made available to the British, and what they're learning will be made available to our security officials. So I think the American public can have complete confidence that our security officials know whatever the British know here.
NGUYEN: Well, and it goes both ways, as well, too. Because as we're getting their information, I imagine that the U.S. is providing any information, if it has any, as to any possible threats that may have come into U.S. sources, detailing a possible attack over in the UK.
MCLAUGHLIN: Absolutely. If you look at every major British success against terrorists in the last several years and there have been some dramatic ones, as you know in many cases, if not all, the United States has been deeply involved in terms of providing information and exchanging views. So anything the United States has on this is certainly going to be going to the British in the fullest detail. NGUYEN: And we'll be learning so much more in the coming days. John McLaughlin, CNN security analyst, we do appreciate your time this morning, joining us by phone from Reno. Thank you.
HOLMES: Well, in our 9:00 Eastern hour, a fate no girl should face. The story of a CNN hero fighting to stop child prostitution.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: A new flight for the space shuttle "Atlantis" today, but it's a little bit different from its last mission, the last time we saw "Atlantis", it was landing in the California desert after two weeks in space. But now a much shorter trip planned: Just about 20 minutes. The shuttle is expected to begin its cross-country piggyback ride. It is returning aboard a specially outfitted 747 to its home base at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NGUYEN: In other news, targeting terror. A new search this morning for suspects in an airport attack in Scotland. It's linked to car bombs found in London and beefed-up security at airports and mass transit systems in the U.S., as we approach the Fourth of July holiday. So a lot on the plate.
HOLMES: We are going to be live with team coverage from these areas, plus experts talk about the threat here in the U.S. and whether we're doing enough to protect ourselves.
NGUYEN: But first, "HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta starts right now.
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