Chertoff: Possibility of Europe becoming a platform for a threat against the United States

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

LONDON (Reuters) - Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said on Wednesday that one of the biggest threats to U.S. security may now come from within Europe.

In an interview with BBC radio, Chertoff said that American authorities were becoming increasingly aware of a real risk of Europe becoming a "platform for terrorists".

He said it was important to step up security checks on passengers coming from Europe to the United States.

"One of the things we have become concerned about lately is the possibility of Europe becoming a platform for a threat against the United States," Chertoff said.

"We have watched the rise of home-grown terrorism," he added, citing the Madrid train bombing in March 2004 and recent foiled plots in Britain and Germany.

"That suggests to us that the terrorists are increasingly looking to Europe both as a target and as a platform for terrorist attacks."

Chertoff's comments came after reports that British intelligence services are investigating an Islamist Web site which said that a branch of al Qaeda had been established in Britain.

Security experts fear a posting on the site, urging young Muslim men to rise up against what it called infidels such as Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, may be genuine.

Chertoff said that while Washington had no plans to suspend a visa waiver program that allows most Europeans who travel to the United States as tourists to do so without a visa, authorities would like to step up advance checks on travelers.

"We do want to elevate some of the security measures in the program," he said, proposing an advance travel authorization system which would require potential visitors to register online their intention to travel to America to allow authorities to clear them in advance.

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNew...=22&sp=true

[Ban Hammer 13,360]

maybe cause obl's son is moving to britain?

[HAL 9000 96]

Lets invade Europe!

[Lansbury 19]

maybe cause obl's son is moving to britain?

One of his sons and a few other family members have lived in the UK for a good few years. I quite often met that son when he flew in and out of Heathrow.

[almaty 19]

homeland security job, funding and importance is tied to the fear factor...this is just part of their agenda

Edited January 16, 2008 by almaty

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

homeland security job, funding and importance is tied to the fear factor...this is just part of their agenda

I don't know... I think there is a very real possibility that a Frenchman may hide an explosive croissant in his beret...

[Amby 490]

[almaty 19]

homeland security job, funding and importance is tied to the fear factor...this is just part of their agenda

I don't know... I think there is a very real possibility that a Frenchman may hide an explosive croissant in his beret...

lol..spilled coffee on the keyboard on that one

[Sister Fracas 5]

LMAO!