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Friday, April 04, 2008
'Chilling' UK Plot Details Going Unreported by U.S. Media
April 4, 2008
Chertoff Blasts U.K. Plot Press Coverage
DHS Secretary Says 'Chilling' Plot Details Going Unreported by U.S. Media
By JASON RYAN
LONDON, ENGLAND: As the London trial for the alleged plotters of the foiled 2006 U.K. plane bombings gets underway, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff blasts what he calls minimal press coverage of the "disturbing" and "chilling" case, which led to a ban on liquids brought on aircraft for 18 months.
In a post to the department's blog, Leadership Journal, Chertoff criticized the focus on "celebrity peccadilloes and microscopic analysis of political comments," charging that the media is overlooking "a very significant story that tells us a lot about why we need some of the moderately inconvenient security measures with which we live" ? a reference to the limit on liquids allowed on board flights, and other airport security requirements.
On trial are eight men who, according to the prosecution, planned to strike at least seven jetliners bound for North America on United Airlines, American Airlines and Air Canada flights into New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Montreal and Toronto.
The new restrictions on liquids were a result of the thwarted attack, but "because we couldn't say more without violating British legal rules, some of you may have wondered whether the plot was all that serious," Chertoff wrote. "The details being unfolded are riveting ? and chilling," he continued. "Unfortunately, the trial is not getting much play in our domestic news outlets, but the evidence should be required reading for those who travel by air..."
-- Source/continues: http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Blotter/story?id=4591780&page=1
Additional references:
Thursday, August 10, 2006 - Analysis of Improvised Liquid Bombs in
London Terrorist Plot, can be found at: 
http://www.emergency.com/archives/08-01-2006_08-31-2006.htm
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 11 Atlantic Bomb Plot Suspects Charged
(Video), can be found at:
http://www.emergency.com/archives/08-01-2006_08-31-2006.htm