Bush Praises Effort to Thwart Terror Plot

British Authorities Arrest 21; U.S. Raises Threat Level   Bush Praises Effort to Thwart Terror Plot

Thursday, August 10, 2006 PHOTOS VIDEO PHOTO ESSAYS Click image to enlarge Photo Essays: • London Police Disrupt Terrorist Plot STORIES • Suspects in Terror Plot Appear to Be Pakistani, French Official Says • Terror Threat: Changes to Airline Ticketing Policies • Terror Threat: New Security Measures at U.S., UK Airports • Shares in Airline, Travel Companies Drop Sharply Amid British Terror Plot • European Airlines Cancel Flights to U.K. • Massachusetts Governor to Activate National Guard for Logan Airport • Tears of Frustration at British Airports • London Terror Plot Sparks Heightened Security at U.S. Airports • London Police Disrupt Terrorist Plot to Blow Up Aircraft in Mid-Flight WASHINGTON — President Bush on Thursday praised the coordinated government efforts to stop a terror plot to blow up airline flights from the United Kingdom to the United States, and said American flyers will be inconvenienced for a while in order for officials to keep them safe. "The recent arrests that our fellow citizens are now learning about are a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation," Bush said on a tarmac in Green Bay, Wis., before delivering a speech on the economy. "Cooperation on this venture was excellent, the cooperation between U.K. and U.S. authorities and officials was solid, and the cooperation among agencies within our government was excellent," Bush said. But even with the successful operation, the president said, "Obviously we still aren't completely safe, because there are people that still plot and people who want to harm us for what we believe in. It is a mistake to believe there is no threat to the United States of America." The White House called the plot to blow up commercial flights in mid-air a "serious threat" to the United States and United Kingdom. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke overnight and last weekend as British intelligence discovered the scheme, which they'd been investigating for months, was imminent, Bush spokesman Tony Snow said. The two held phone calls while Blair is vacationing in the Caribbean and Bush is staying at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. (Story continues below)  ADVERTISEMENTS Advertise Here