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CNN Sunday Morning
Fiery Attack at Glasgow Airport; Mood on the Streets in London; President Bush Hosts Putin
Aired July 01, 2007 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The vehicle was like at a stage (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The vehicle at that stage, the back end was in flames, the windows were broken. There were flames flowing right out of it. And as we were looking up at the man, there were some small explosions in the back of -- in the back of the vehicle.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: A fiery attack at one of Britain's main airports. This morning, a fifth arrest in the search for terrorists. A country now on its highest possible alert level.
NGUYEN: Yes. Investigators this morning searching a Glasgow neighborhood for clues to the plot.
We also have live reports from London and Glasgow. That is straight ahead.
From the CNN Center, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
It is 9:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, 2:00 p.m. in the U.K., where a lot of work is being done at this hour in that investigation.
Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes. Thank you so much for being here.
We start with a new development in that British terror probe. Police say another arrest has been made. A fifth suspect was picked up a short time ago in Liverpool. That, as police search homes in a Glasgow suburb.
We hope to learn more about that a little later. We're expecting a Glasgow police news conference in about 30 minutes. We will bring that to you live.
Meanwhile, we're going to turn now to CNN's Paula Newton in London, who has been keeping us up to date on this story.
Hello to you again, Paula.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: And hello, T.J. Yes, the news on the story continues today. And what seems to be happening here is what investigators told us yesterday would be more of a domino effect of arrests over night.
Over night, two suspects arrested, as you mentioned. And now another arrest in Liverpool.
What happened there was, yesterday, viewers remember the John Lennon International Airport was closed. A suspicious vehicle taken away.
We are awaiting a press briefing from Liverpool police in about 15 minutes. And we'll be able to ask them whether or not the car is linked to this arrest. We're also told that searches are under way at that home where this suspect was parentally arrested.
Again, one other thing that is of interest here that's emerged in this investigation is the Scottish minister is now reporting that the suspects arrested at Glasgow airport yesterday were not Scottish, meaning they would come from elsewhere in Britain. And that is significant, because it would tie in very closely to some of the other cells and plots that were being followed throughout Britain. And also, it may be significant in terms of a target, meaning they had targeted Glasgow International Airport because Prime Minister Gordon Brown, making the transition in office, is Scottish and he is also from Glasgow.
Also, as you've already said, we await more police briefings, first from Liverpool in 15 minutes. And in 30 minutes, from Scottish police.
We can also tell you that as this investigation moves forward, police do believe now that two cars in London -- at least one they have for sure noticed -- that at least one incoming call came in to try to detonate that car bomb and it failed. They are still looking over the evidence from another bomb.
They do believe, or they're speculating at this point that might what have happened was this then turned into a different strategy for the suspects, and that they perhaps then tried to execute some type of suicide operation to have a better chance of success -- T.J.
HOLMES: And Paula, should we make anything out of -- I guess we don't have -- we're hoping to get more information. But do we know anything about how police were led to these suspects? Was it from interviewing the initial suspects that led to the others? And also, what do we make of suspects being picked up in different locations around Great Britain?
NEWTON: This does have the hallmarks of perhaps just one cell spreading out and actually having coordinated attacks. We don't have sources telling us that at all. I'm basically speculating from other plots and the way they have unfolded here.
Two of the -- just to recap, so we have five in custody right now. We take two from the Glasgow International Airport, one in serious condition in hospital, the other in police custody.
But we understand -- at least our sources say that the two that were arrested overnight or late last night on the highway, on a highway halfway between London and Glasgow, that they were actually identified from that CCTV footage that came out of the investigation on Friday. That throughout the hours, they got a better I.D. on those suspects and then were able to apprehend them.
Apparently a quite dramatic arrest on the highway, on a major motor way, three lanes across. They stopped traffic. Three unmarked cars then stopping and arresting those two suspects without incident.
That's what authorities are telling us right now. Again, hopefully knowing more in the next half an hour about this connection to Liverpool and whether or not that car that was taken away late last night actually had anything to do with the arrest in Liverpool -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. And again, like you said, Paula, we are expecting more information at the bottom of the hour, when police do hold a press conference.
Paula Newton in London.
Thank you, as always.
NGUYEN: Well, no one was seriously injured in the attack in Glasgow, except for the suspect, who witnesses say deliberately set himself on fire. We have heard some fascinating stories from the people who saw the events unfold, including one airport worker who jumped in to help police.
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JOHN SMETTON, GLASGOW AIRPORT EMPLOYEE: I had seen a man come out of the passenger seat of the vehicle. A policeman was running out across to assist. The man there attacks the policeman.
I see this happening (INAUDIBLE). So I ran down.
There are other members of the public as well. And we try to subdue the guy, but he's a big boy. He's not for being subdued. He's flowing punches left, right and center.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At the beginning I thought it was just somebody that had obviously, you know, just crashed the car into the building by mistake. But as I continued to look and see the flames and then see the car, I realize then that this was obviously deliberately done.
JACKIE KENNEDY, EYEWITNESS: (INAUDIBLE) and he got, like, a five gallon -- you know, a five liter drum (INAUDIBLE) or whatever, and poured over himself and then the car, and the car was in flames.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Now police are still examining the burned-out wreckage, but at least parts of the airport have already reopened.
HOLMES: Well, return to normal. That's what new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is asking for today. But he concedes it may not be that easy. In an interview this morning, Mr. Brown said this will be a long-term fight against terrorism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GORDON BROWN, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The security level has been at a very high level. It's been at the number two level for some time. And the reason is that we are aware and have been aware for some time that we're dealing with a long-term threat.
It's not going to go away in the next few weeks or months. We have to fight it in a number of different ways, militarily, by security, by police, by intelligence. And I think it's important to say also on a day like this, we've got to also fight it as a battle of hearts and minds.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Brown in his first week on the job also said Britons may have to prepare for random car searches in the wake of the car bomb discoveries.
NGUYEN: So let's see if the British people are battling this threat with the hearts and minds as, the prime minister said.
CNN's John Roberts has arrived in London this morning.
John, tell us what you're seeing and hearing on the streets. Are people going about their business as usual? Obviously they're playing very close attention to the investigation.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. They certainly are, Betty. And good morning to you.
I mean, you know, it's a cliche to talk about the famous sense of British stoicism that has really sort of marked this city since World War II, but people here do have a certain way of getting past it and moving on. Though I have to tell you, it's all that anybody is talking about.
Even on the flight on the way over here, the flight crew was very concerned. We were chatting about it. And it's this idea that car bomb has returned to London, and particularly a car bomb that has nails inside it.
Everybody remembers back to 1982, to that car bombing that decimated the horse guards as they were on parade. And they're wondering, is this the beginning of a new campaign that they saw back in the early 1980s, which, of course, was all linked to the troubles in northern Ireland?
People are also very concerned here about what the roots of this latest incidents -- the latest incident is. Is it homegrown terrorism? Is it terrorism that has been imported from abroad?
People are unsure about that. They certainly want to get on with their lives, but you can't help when you're walking through the streets of London casting sort of a suspicious glance at every car that's parked along the roadway. And while people do want to just sort of ignore the fact that it's happening, there is no question, Betty, that everyone here is concerned, and it really is something that is top of mind.
NGUYEN: Well, no doubt. But this weekend especially there is a lot going on. There is the Gay Pride parades that are taking place. But also the tribute to Diana that's happening at Wembley Stadium.
I imagine a lot of people were considering to go with that. I assume they're going to continue with those plans.
ROBERTS: Well, there are some people that we talked to that say, well, you know, perhaps the security precautions will be so intense that it's not worth going, and maybe they'll take the afternoon off and not go to it. But I would expect that the main thing that might keep people away from that would be the weather. It's been raining heavily off and off.
Wimbledon is not in play. So there is no concern about that.
But really for people here, this concern is, how far does this go? It was London, then it was Glasgow. Now it's Liverpool.
Just how far widespread is this particular incident? How deep does it go in the community? Are the homegrown terrorists? And again, are they individual cells, isolated cells? Or are they some part of a larger network that the British authorities haven't yet gotten a handle on?
Those are the questions that people are asking today.
NGUYEN: Yes. And those are some very big questions. And we're all waiting to hear the answers to that as the investigation continues.
John Roberts, we appreciate your time today.
And we do want to remind our viewers that CNN "AMERICAN MORNING'S" John Roberts is jumping into our coverage of the British terror alert. John will anchor "AMERICAN MORNING" from London starting tomorrow, beginning at 6:00 Eastern.
HOLMES: Well, things are changing pretty fast there in Britain this morning. A police briefing set to begin within the half hour in Scotland. When it starts, we're going to take you there live.
NGUYEN: Yes. In just minutes, though, we have a live report from Maine, where the president is monitoring these developments.
HOLMES: And we're also keeping tabs on any changes in airport security that could affect your travel plans today. Stay right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We are watching three specific areas in the Britain terror investigation this morning. First, an arrest made today in Liverpool, England. Five people now in custody. The latest arrest is believed related to a suspicious car that caused authorities to shut down Liverpool's John Lennon International Airport.
Police have been searching homes in a small town just outside Glasgow this morning, looking for clues in the terror investigation. Hope to get more in a police news conference scheduled for 9:30 Eastern this morning. We will bring that to you live.
NGUYEN: Also, President Bush closely following developments in Britain from Kennebunkport, Maine, this morning. And a little bit later today he welcomes Russian president Vladimir Putin to the Bush family home.
Our White House correspondent, Ed Henry, joins us now live from Kennebunkport.
And I know he's meeting with President Putin, but obviously they're going to be discussing what is happening in Great Britain today.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Betty. They already had a packed agenda, as you know. Presidents Bush and Putin wanted to talk about Iran, Kosovo, and of course this controversial U.S. missile defense shield that President Bush wants to build in Europe. Mr. Putin not happy about that being built basically on his doorstep.
But you're absolutely right, this terrorist situation will undoubtedly be added to the agenda. President Bush, even while he has been fishing, bike riding, doing a couple days of vacation on the eve of this little mini summit, he still has been getting almost constant updates, briefings from his national security and homeland security staff about both situations in London, as well as in Glasgow. At this point, White House officials emphasizing that they have no specific, credible threat that would force them or lead them to raise the national threat level all across the United States. So far, they are not following the footsteps of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has done that obviously because of the more tense situation on the ground in Great Britain.
Also, White House officials are saying that in the early stages, the initial reports that they have gotten from Britain, they're not overly concerned about the scope of this in term of it both spreading to the United States, but also, in the early reports, the U.S. intelligence that they've gotten, suggestions that this was somewhat amateurish, not quite as professional that would give them more alarm about these attacks. But obviously security as well a big deal here in Kennebunkport. You essentially have three presidents here with the current President Bush. His father, the former President Bush, will be actually hosting the summit since it's at his home at Walker's Point. And then, of course, President Putin coming to town in the middle of the afternoon.
So there is a hefty agenda ahead, no doubt about it -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Absolutely.
CNN's Ed Henry joining us live from Kennebunkport today.
Thank you, Ed.
HOLMES: And as we mentioned, police are conducting searches in a small town outside Glasgow, Scotland, this morning. At least one home has been cordoned off with police tape.
We're now joined on the phone from Glasgow by CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson. Actually, not on the phone with us. We've got him up here live.
So good to see your face there. What do you have?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: T.J., the situation continues to be very tense outside these -- the house that is being searched just to the west of Glasgow, about 15 miles from where I'm standing.
Police sealed off the street early this morning. The residents were advised to stay indoors. The street wasn't evacuated.
Police started to search a small two-story, three-bedroom house on a very nondescript street. Local residents we were able to talk to said that the house had been available for rent, that recently, perhaps, as far back as four months ago, people they described as being Asian, two men -- and here that often means of Pakistani dissent -- they say these men rented the house but kept a very, very low profile. People saw them very, very rarely.
And while that investigation is going on just to the west of Glasgow, at the Glasgow airport, quite literally a few miles from that investigation, the situation there very chaotic. There are lines perhaps half a mile long around the airport complex as people wait to get into the airport to try to take flights out.
This is the very busiest time of year in Scotland. It is now the holiday time. The schools have broken up for the summer vacations for children. It is one of the busiest weekends.
Scotland -- Glasgow the busiest airport in Scotland. So quite chaotic there. And the security at the airport still very, very tight. Not possible for us to get close enough to the airport terminal to see where that vehicle smashed into the building yesterday -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right.
Our Nic Robertson on the scene there for us in Glasgow, our senior international correspondent.
Nic, thank you so much.
NGUYEN: And we are just minutes away from the latest police briefing out of Scotland. We're going to take you there live just as soon as that begins.
HOLMES: And we're also watching for any changes in airport security here in this country. We'll have a travel update a little bit later this hour.
NGUYEN: And the politics of fear. CNN political analyst Bill Schneider following how this latest act of terror impacts American voters.
Stay right here with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. Take a look. These are live pictures from airport tower cameras in Philadelphia, Washington and Los Angeles.
Officials say the heightened security at U.S. airports is a deterrent against potential attacks. They stress, though, that that -- this is not a response to any specific threat. The Transportation Security Administration sent information to airports about stepping up police activity, particularly outside the terminals.
HOLMES: And we're going to take a closer look now at how the increased security might affect air travelers as we head into the Fourth of July holiday.
CNN's Jim Acosta joins us now live from New York's LaGuardia airport.
Good morning to you.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, T.J.
Yes, longer lines at LaGuardia, and some of that may be due to these enhanced security measures. You know, since that attack in Scotland, police have used bomb-sniffing dogs and detection devices here at LaGuardia and New York's other area airports just to make sure that what happened over there does not happen here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ACOSTA (voice over): 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 nation's response to the attack in Scotland.
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 that we have a security presence.
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 their police presence. Passengers could see the difference.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It makes me feel that things are safe in terms of traveling. That everything's under control, a little more safer.
ACOSTA: But so far, the uptick in airport security has yet to result in major delays for travelers crisscrossing the country for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.
JOY DILL, AIR TRAVELER: No inconvenience, whatsoever. We flew in from Kansas City today. Flights were all on time. Airports were busy. But no inconvenience whatsoever.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ACOSTA: And just so we can show you exactly what is going on here at the airport, I'll step to the side here so you can take a look, because if we pan, you'll see nothing. But if you look directly behind me, you'll see what is happening here at the airport.
Cars are still lined up here at the departure terminal for American Airlines for LaGuardia. And just to the side of those cars, a very long line of passengers.
But again, we're not really sure whether or not this is just a typical Sunday here at LaGuardia or if this is perhaps because of these enhanced security measures. And security officials say greater visibility is the key here. But another big key is for these passengers behind us to be on the lookout. If passengers can spot something over in England or in Scotland, they can do that just as well here, is what security officials are hoping will happen as we move on here -- T.J.
HOLMES: Certainly hope that will be the case. And like you said, we don't know. It could just be a normal Sunday there at LaGuardia.
Jim Acosta for us there at the airport in New York.
Thanks so much, Jim.
NGUYEN: Well, the terror threat is not stopping some major events going on across Britain this weekend. The annual Gay Pride Parade in London went on as scheduled yesterday. And thousands turned out for that. Rain seemed to pose more of a threat than terrorism at Wimbledon. Play was actually canceled. Or called off, at least, after only two singles matches were completed yesterday because of the weather.
Now, action will resume tomorrow. The tournament typically takes this Sunday off.
One of the biggest events in Britain this weekend is set to begin in less than two hours from now. Tens of thousands are expected at the memorial concert for the late Diana, princess of Wales.
Senior International Correspondent Matthew Chance joins us now from Wembley Stadium in London as they are getting ready for this big concert.
I imagine a lot of folks are hoping to attend, despite all the terror threats that we've seen and the investigations that are under way.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Betty. Thousands of people, music lovers, fans of Diana, princess of Wales, have already begun coming here to Wembley Stadium in the west of London to witness a day, an evening of music with top world stars like Elton John, like Take That, and others from the world of pop music.
There is a big security effort under way, though. It's been stepped up given the events regarding terrorism over the past several days in this country.
Scotland Yards say they've stepped up the number of police officers in uniform that will be patrolling this stadium here in Wembley to try and disrupt or deter any kind of attack on this concert. Not because there is any specific intelligence indicating to the security services that this concert may be a target, merely because the threat level in Britain is now so critical that the authorities believe that big mass public gatherings just like this one could well be the target of some of kind of a terrorist attack. They're taking whatever precautions they can without actually abandoning the concert altogether, because the message coming from the British authorities is very much, be vigilant, but live life as usual -- Betty.
NGUYEN: And that's what we're seeing from the people behind you.
Have you had a chance to speak with any of them, Matthew, to see how they're feeling about the latest developments in this case? As we've seen, it's not only in London, the attack there in Glasgow yesterday, and then again this morning, the arrest in Liverpool.
CHANCE: Well, I think the British authorities have really tapped into the mood of the British public on this occasion to a very big extent. You know, the people are being defiant. The authorities are being defiant as well, urging vigilance.
People that we've spoken to say that, of course, they're being extra vigilant because of the situation. But they're not going to let this situation stop them from doing what they would have done anyway.
And this is something that goes not just for this concert in Wembley, not just the people in London that have been subject to terrorist attacks in the past, the last few days, or in Scotland, but across the country now. I think the attack in Glasgow in Scotland at the airport there yesterday really showed that it's towns and cities all across the United Kingdom now that have to be extra vigilant during this period of heightened -- or rather this period of a wave of terrorist attacks that now seem to be gripping this country.
NGUYEN: CNN's Matthew Chance joining us live from Wembley Stadium in London this morning, where that big concert is set to get under way in just about a couple of hours from now.
Thank you, Matthew.
HOLMES: Meantime, we are expecting a police briefing to begin soon, sometime soon in Scotland about the investigations going on there.
NGUYEN: Yes. We're expecting it to happen in about four minutes. But we understand that's been delayed for some reason. So as soon as that does get under way, we'll bring it you to live.
Also, we've got another issue that we're dealing with and that Veronica de la Cruz will talk to us about, how she has been following the Web and all the events unfolding there.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. We're keeping track of all the events as they unfold on the Web. London is an extremely busy place this weekend, as you just saw. We're going to show you stepped-up security online.
That's coming up. That's coming up next from the dot-com desk -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Thank you, Veronica.
Also, the campaign trail. Which candidates do best when America is scared? Political analyst Bill Schneider, he joins us a little later this hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: We do have breaking news about the latest arrest in the London terror investigation. Here is what we know. The suspect that picked up in Liverpool this morning, we learned that he is a 26-year- old male. Also those two suspects picked up on the highway between Glasgow and London overnight, two people there, one is a 26-year-old male the other is a 27-year-old female. So, those are three of the five.
Let me get you to the other two, there. And they include the two men, as you know, yesterday that we were showing you the live pictures of and the burning car that crashed in the Glasgow Airport. So, in total five people have been taken into custody as this investigation is underway into, not only the car bombs that were found in London, very early on Friday morning, but what you're seeing right here, the vehicle that crashed into the Glasgow Airport, yesterday.
Again, the latest in the suspects, the man who was picked up in Liverpool is 26 years old and the two other suspects picked up on a highway between Glasgow and London, they include a 26-year-old male and a 27-year-old female.
So, as soon as we get more information on not only the investigation, but the details of these suspects, and we're waiting to hear more as a news conference is expected at any minute now out of London. We will, of course, bring that straight to you.
HOLMES: Our Nic Robertson standing by for us in Glasgow. As you mentioned, they were hoping to get more information about those suspects about this investigation, which I don't guess is outside of the realm of possibility that more arrests could come. We've seen the five in different location around Great Britain, right now, home, as you see here, police have been searching a home. You can see cordoned off there outside of Glasgow where arrests have been made, as well.
Our Nic Robertson, again, in Glasgow right now.
And Nic, I know we're awaiting this press conference. Any idea when it might start?
ROBERTSON: At the moment, T.J., looks like this press conference may be delayed for a little while. The police here, it seems, want to get all their information very clear and very straight. We do now know of the man arrested in Liverpool, the man and woman arrested on the motorway, south of Glasgow, late yesterday evening. We also know that the police here have arrested two men, that was following the attack on the airport. One of those critically ill in hospital, the other in police custody.
Very interesting that not long after those arrests that the police were then able to move to a house very, very close to Glasgow Airport, what is striking about the house that they're searching is it is very nondescript. However, this is a house that is on a very normal suburban street where most of the people on that street own their houses.
This house is different because it is a rented house. And people told us in the last four months two men rented that property, people have seen very, very little of them since they rented the property. They don't know what these two men do. They've come into the community; they've kept a very low profile. And now the police are searching that house.
We do expect, when the police brief us in the not too distant future, to perhaps learn details of why they -- why they have gone to this particular house and perhaps a few more details about the men that they arrested. But, all these events linked to those two car bombs placed in London, linked to that attack in Glasgow, yesterday.
This a very wide search. Britain's prime minister, Gordon Brown, has told the nation today that they can expect this situation, the potential for attacks to continue, to continue for some time to come. Scotland's own parliament, the leading members are members of a Special Security Committee met today. The message from them, from the first minister here, Alex Salmon, for the public to be vigilant. Scotland, the rest of the country on a much, much higher state of alert than it normally would be-- T.J.
HOMES: All right. Our Nic Robertson on the scene there in Glasgow. Nic, thank you so much.
NGUYEN: Well, back here in the U.S., President Bush is, of course, keeping an eye on the terror alert situation in London and Scotland. But the U.S. has not changed its threat status. However, there is tighter security at airports and mass transit systems across the country. Let's take you live now CNN's to Kelli Arena in Washington, as we really get a handle of what is being done in the U.S. to prevent any possible threat. But at this point they say there is nothing specific.
KELLI ARENA, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Betty. U.S. officials say as far as a threat to the U.S. is concerned, law enforcement and ordinary citizens need to keep their guard up. Homeland Secretary Michael Chertoff points out that al Qaeda has made several public statements threatening the United States, so that combined with increased travel this holiday weekend, what happened in the U.K. makes it a no-brainer that they should increase security here in the U.S. at this time.
In an interview that will appear later today on LATE EDITION; Chertoff points out that car bombs, like those used in the U.K., have been used before in the United States and that we remain vulnerable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: There's no guarantee that somebody who is determined is not going to be capable to pull an automobile next to some kind of a building and detonate the car. Now, one of the principle ways, of course, we try protect against that is with vigilance, by not having only authorities but having regular citizens notice when there's something that seems a little bit strange or out of place and then having them notify the police or the authorities. That's, in fact, what happened in London, so I think that ordinary citizens can play a very important role.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARENA: Now it's important to note that so far British officials have not identified the tempted attacks with the work of al Qaeda. It could be a group that was just in expired by the terror organization. It's also important to note that the investigation there has not led to any connections here in the United States. U.S. officials continue to say that there is no intelligence suggesting that any attacks are imminent against the homeland. But, as you said or right at the top here, security is definitely increased. Travelers are encouraged to get to airports earlier than usual because they will see a lot more security than they have before.
NGUYEN: And wanted to tell our viewers, Kelli, that the entire interview with Michael Chertoff will be airing on LATE EDITION with Wolf Blitzer a little bit later today. Some important information there and that comes our way right here on CNN. Kelli arena, we appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.
ARENA: You're welcome.
HOLMES: And want to let you know that we are still waiting for that police briefing out of Scotland.
NGUYEN: Yes, we are and we're expecting it to start any minute, now. It's been delayed for a little bit and as soon as that comes on line, we will bring it to you live.
HOLMES: Also, the politics of fear and the presidential race. CNN political analyst, Bill Schneider, joins us. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Starbucks makes more than just coffee. And Ken Lombard is leading the charge into the entertainment business. Starbucks Entertainment launched in 2004. As president, Lombard's strategy is to change the way people get music, books, and movies. He recently led the creation of the Hear Music Coffee Houses where music is first and coffee is second.
KEN LOMBARD, PRES STARBUCKS ENTERTAINMENT: Our intention was to start with music, build some credibility, show some success, make sure our customers were giving us permission to go beyond coffee.
ANNOUNCER: Lombard believes success lies in staying true in the Starbucks name.
LOMBARD: I learned early on that less is better and making sure that whatever you do, you stay focused on being able to execute and having a tremendous commitment to getting things done and building a reputation around that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDY GIULIANI (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When a hear about a thing like this in London today, it brings me back to many, many incidents in New York and how to react to it, how to deal with it, how to prepare for it.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HOMES: As Republican presidential hopeful, Rudy Giuliani reacting on Friday to news of the foiled terror plot in London. His comments coming a day before yesterday's fiery attack at the Glasgow International Airport. Both events, in the U.S., raising a valid question about the importance of the threat of terrorism as a 2008 presidential campaigns come on.
In a CNN Research Corporation poll, conducted last week, 20 percent of Republicans told us terrorism is the most important issue when they vote for president. Five percent of Democrats say they feel that way.
And CNN's political analyst, Bill Schneider, joins us now from Washington to talk more about this and how it might play out in the campaign.
Bill, so, if people are scared, does that bode well for Republicans?
BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, Republicans believe it does. Rudy Giuliani has always been running on the terrorism issue because of the association with the response to 9/11. Republicans believe that they can try to rerun their most recent national success, which is the 2004 election, and essentially turn the 2008 election into a referendum on who will keep the country safe.
Giuliani argues almost all the time in debates and campaign speeches that if the Democrats take over the country will go back on the defensive.
Now Democrats have an argument, too, they want to make which is all about Iraq. Their argument is that this situation has become more dangerous for the United States and for Britain because both countries are involved in Iraq. And Iraq is increasing the threat of terrorism to the West and to the United States. The longer we stay in Iraq, Democrats argue, the more dangerous it will be for the United States and for Britain.
HOLMES: Now, does any of this matter right now, so far? I guess we're not that terribly far out from the primaries, at least. But do we need to get closer and an event like this over in the U.K. right now -- as we get closer to campaign, will it make more of a difference then or does it really matter right now?
SCHNEIDER: Well, of course the closer you get to the campaign, the more an issue like this will have an impact. But, it would have to have some serious threat to the United States. And as we've heard from Kelli Arena and others, the threat level in the United States has not been raised and officials say there is no evidence of any impending danger to Americans. But yet Americans are on edge, they read about this, they see this on the air and they worry about these things.
There's no question that Rudy Giuliani has been running hard on this issue. And also the fact that the threat of terrorism has not been a dominant issue in the campaign, so far, which, as you indicate is just getting started.
HOLMES: And again, can Giuliani, again, he is just the man on this issue and somebody's going to have to take it from him on the terrorism issue? Of course he's gotten some criticism for the way he handled 9/11, but everybody sees him as Mr. 9/11, the one that took that city, took New York through that. So, as long as terrorism is at the forefront, he's the man.
SCHNEIDER: Well, does it look that way for the moment. I'm sure other candidates will attempt to compete with him. There is some criticism, as you indicated of the way he handled the 9/11 events in New York City. Other candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, John McCain, for instance, who has a strong military record, could throw up a strong challenge to Rudy Giuliani on the terrorism issue.
Democrats on the whole have had less direct military experience, but Hillary Clinton, the leading Democrat, the frontrunner right now, she's also from New York and I think she would make a serious effort to challenge Giuliani. And as I say, the Democrat's argument is that this is all coming from our involvement in Iraq, which Britain is also involved in, but the longer we stay there, the greater the threat of terrorism, the greater the danger to the United States and Britain.
HOLMES: All right. Senior political analyst, Bill Schneider. Bill, good to see you as always, thank you so much.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
NGUYEN: Well, as new terror arrests have been made in the U.K. and we're learning more about the men and women who were actually taken into custody, one this morning, Veronica de la Cruz has been following this story on line. What you have found?
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN.COM: Well, what we're seeing is that people really are going on with their lives. I mean we heard earlier from Matthew Chance, right, who showed us the scene at Wembley Stadium, Britain's apparently getting on with their lives even after the news of these terror incidents taking place this week.
Well, let's take you on line. This is a live picture of Wembley Stadium. Also there's an article there which highlights the security at the event and also some of the concert performers. Among them, Brian Fairy, Duran Duran, Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart. We're looking at BBC, right now.
The other big event that's taking place in and around London is Wimbledon. As you know the tournament was called off yesterday, not because of these terror incidents that have occurred, but because of the rain.
Now, nevertheless, they have stepped up security for their matches. This is their website, Wimbledon.org., it details how spectators have been urged to be extra vigilant, their bags being checked. Also, sniffer dogs have been out hunting for hidden explosives. We've also been asking you this morning to weigh in with your thoughts on both events in London and Glasgow. We've received this e- mail from Dr. Barrington Williamson who says:
"I'm a British citizen living in Sarasota, Florida. I am extremely appalled by the latest bombing and bombing attempts. These radicals and idiots have been brain washed by their Islam religion to kill without any remorse. It is time that we stop allowing these people from using our democratic society to advance their cause."
And you, too, can send us an e-mail to weekends@cnn.com.
NGUYEN: And you talk about the concert for Diana. In face, we got some live pictures that we want to bring up, right now, of just the people, the crowds that are going there.
CRUZ: Ninety-thousand people.
NGUYEN: Well, look at this. As you can see, they are piling in. They're not letting terror stop them from this concert to honor the late princess. A lot of people were talking about the investigation and the terror alerts and what kind of affect that will have on Londoners. Well, Londoners are very resilient. They have been in the past and they continue to be.
CRUZ: Reading the message boards, reading the blogs, that really is the message that's out there. That really is what people want to do, they want to get out there, they want to get on with their lives and they want to enjoy their weekend.
NGUYEN: Well, that's what they are doing. And obviously security is stepped up. We'll be watching that as we'll be watching for the live news conference that is expected to get underway at any point. It was supposed to happen, what, about 15 minutes ago, but it has been delayed and apparently authorities want to get all of their information as there have been a number of developments overnight and in many different cities. So they're pulling it altogether and we should learn very shortly as to what is the latest in the investigation.
HOLMES: And still we got some other stories that we are covering this morning. Wicked weather in parts of this country, our Reynolds Wolf has the forecast, he's just minutes away.
And in just minutes, a deadly wildfire out West. Look at these flames. We're going to show you what is happening and what's being done about it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: In Utah, a wildfire kills three. Hot temperatures and dry conditions fueled the fast-moving flame. Just look at this. When you mix in some high winds, well this fire quickly became unpredictable. Utah officials say the fire surprised three men who were working in a hayfield. A young boy with them, well they -- or he did, manage to escape, three people were killed.
HOLMES: Well, run for higher ground. The Brazos River in Texas expected to rise a foot above flood stage today. People who live nearby are being told to seek higher ground for the second time in a week. Storms in Texas this month have been blamed for at least 11 deaths.
NGUYEN: We got storms in areas that really don't need the rain and other parts of the U.S., Reynolds, would buy rain if they could.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Thank you, Reynolds.
WOLF: You bet.
NGUYEN: Well, today "CNN's Hero" is a woman who walks the streets in the middle of the night and is on call 24/7. It is all to help victims of human trafficking right here in the U.S., her name is Tina Frundt and she is a "CNN Hero."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, let's go again.
TINA FRUNDT, POLARIS PROJECT: 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 children, in the U.S., are being forced out every day at 9, 10, 11 and 12-years-old.
"KITTY," AGE 17: Pimps beat you, they make you go out there, make you stay out all night. They really don't care. You could be 9- years-old and you could work for them.
"ANGELA," AGE 21: People are raped and beaten into submission to do it. You could be killed and, you know, it wouldn't really make a difference to other people, because others would think of you as a prostitute.
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 was the manipulation, the violence and the abuse. I went through it, so that's why I think I'm so dedicated to helping others.
And I am the director for the outreach for Polaris Project and I fight to end human trafficking. I don't want what happened to me to happening to somebody else.
What we do is offer services to women and children how 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 nine, the oldest, so far, has been 40.
We, give the number. You can call anytime. Even if it's just to talk, our lines are open 24-hours a day.
(APPLAUSE)
I think in this job you have to love what you do or 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 VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: If you would like to learn more about Tina Frundt's organization or how to make a contribution to it, you'll find all the information that you need at cnn.com/heroes.
HOLMES: And, of course, the big story of the morning, the terror alert out of the U.K. We're following the fast-moving developments for you. Stay right here for the very latest. Also, we are expecting a news conference any time. It's pretty much almost half an hour past the time we thought they were going to see it, so expecting that at any time. When it does happen, we'll bring that to you live. Stay here, got a quick break we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right, it took a lot explosions, but there she goes. Another implosion this morning in Rochester, New York, they're clearing out part of the Kodak complex. And it is a second implosion there this weekend, so you get a second installment in two days, T.J.
HOLMES: Installments of our oh so popular series of implosions that we hear on CNN. This one, a little bit different from yesterday's. Which one do you think is better? Take a peek at the one that was from yesterday. You decide.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whoo! Boo-yeah!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: I love it!
HOLMES: OK. We know which one you're partial to because of the...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eat that you ancient critter!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Wow. Eat that you ancient critter!
HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: Who is that guy? Can we get him on the phone?
HOLMES: Why he's so upset with the building for some reason. "Ancient critter." But, there you go, implosions, we are looking for more. We'll continue to bring them you to here on CNN Saturday and Sunday morning.
NGUYEN: Well, want to show you cool pictures from California. The space shuttle "Atlantis," airborne again. Yes, but on this time on the back of a specially outfitted 747. The shuttle is being ferried back to Florida to prepare for its next mission. Stormy weather forced Atlantis to land in the California desert last week ending a two-week mission in space.
HOLMES: Well, stay right here with CNN throughout the day. We're going to bring you the latest on the British terror investigation and also coming up next, RELIABLE SOURCES, former Scotland Yard commander will talk about this latest terror threat.
NGUYEN: Then on LATE EDITION at 11:00 Eastern, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff joins Wolf Blitzer.
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