Scotland Yard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the White House on Friday released the following statements about a potential terror plot on U.S.-bound cargo planes:
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs: “Last night, intelligence and law enforcement agencies discovered potential suspicious packages on two planes in transit to the United States. Based on close cooperation among U.S. government agencies and with our foreign allies and partners, authorities were able to identify and examine two suspicious packages, one in London and one in Dubai. Both of these packages originated from Yemen. As a result of security precautions triggered by this threat, the additional measures were taken regarding the flights at Newark Liberty and Philadelphia International Airports.
The President was notified of a potential terrorist threat on Thursday night at 10:35, by John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism. The President directed U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Homeland Security, to take steps to ensure the safety and security of the American people, and to determine whether these threats are a part of any additional terrorist plotting. The President has received regular updates from his national security team since he was alerted to the threat.”
TSA statement: “The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is aware of and monitoring reports of potentially suspicious items onboard cargo flights that landed safely at Newark Liberty and Philadelphia International airports. Out of an abundance of caution the planes were moved to a remote location where they are being met by law enforcement officials and swept.”
Scotland Yard statement: “Early today, Friday 29 October, an American-registered cargo-plane arrived at East Midlands Airport from the Yemen en-route to Chicago via Philadelphia. The plane stopped at East Midlands Airport as part of a routine stop over.
Cargo removed from the plane was examined. Further tests were carried out. Following this a number of items have been sent for additional scientific examination.
Can confirm that explosives officers attended the airport. At this stage there is nothing to suggest that any location was being targeted in the UK. The airport continued to operate as normal during the day.”
THAINDIAN
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