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Q&A: the plot

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 11, 2006

	[Times photo: Ken Helle]
	Tampa International Airport: Lines backed up Thursday at Airside C when security was tightened after the reported terrorist plot to destroy several airliners in flight with liquid explosives was broken up in Britain. Full coverage: Fighting terror in the air
	[AP photo]
	Airline passenger Anton Gerasimov takes a drink of his champagne Thursday before boarding a flight to Russia at San Francisco International Airport. Travelers were asked to dump all liquids.
	NEW RULES Liquids are banned from carry-on luggage and cannot be taken through security checkpoints. That includes drinks, toothpaste, perfume, shampoo, hair gel, suntan lotion and similar items. Drinks purchased in the airport cannot be carried onto flights. Baby formula and medications will be allowed but must be presented for inspection at security checkpoints. All shoes must be removed and placed on an X-ray belt for screening. Passengers traveling to the United Kingdom should contact their airline for information about extra security measures. Laptop computers, mobile phones and iPods were among items banned on British flights.

Q&A: the PLOT

What did this plot involve?

British authorities said they stopped a terrorist plot in its final stages aimed at blowing up U.S.-bound airplanes simultaneously over the Atlantic Ocean. The plot involved smuggling liquid explosives disguised as beverages and detonators that looked like electronic devices or other common devices into carry-on luggage. The attackers apparently hoped to have different people carry bomb components aboard each plane and assemble them once airborne.

How was it uncovered?

British officials did not provide specifics. But two Pakistan officials said their country's intelligence helped British security agencies crack the plot after an Islamic militant was arrested near the Afghan-Pakistan border several weeks ago.

Where were the flights headed?

New York, Washington and California, all departing London's Heathrow Airport. Some law enforcement officials said the attackers pinpointed flights operated by American, Continental and United.

Who was arrested?

Police say they arrested at least 24 people in London, its suburbs and Birmingham. British police declined to name the suspects. They were said to be British-Muslims, some of Pakistani origin.

Was al-Qaida involved?

The plot had the earmarks of al-Qaida, which was responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and FBI director Robert Mueller. But Mueller said there was no direct evidence linking the group to the plot.

Were all of the suspects arrested?

That's unclear, but U.S. officials said as many as 50 people may have been involved. Neither the United States nor Britain could say all were caught.

Was the fifth anniversary of Sept.11 a target date?

That's unclear, but a U.S. intelligence official said the plan was a mere "days away" from being enacted.

Any similarities to previous plots?

In 1995, officials halted a plan by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a cohort of Osama bin Laden, and Ramzi Yousef, mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. In a Manila apartment, the pair mixed chemicals they planned to smuggle onto 12 planes headed to Seoul and Hong Kong and then to the United States. The plot was ruined when fire broke out in the apartment. Yousef was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Mohammed was captured in 2003 and is being held by the CIA.

[Last modified August 11, 2006, 07:14:00]