Commercial Truck Bodies
Yemen, Somalia Cargo Will Not Reach The UK, States Home Secretary
The operable bomb discovered on a UPS cargo flight in the U.K. has authorities on high alert. While the Yemeni student believed to be accountable has been arrested, the Guardian reports that British Home Secretary Theresa May is taking no chances. Unaccompanied cargo from Somalia or Yemen – areas where al-Qaida and other known terrorists are believed to operate – will no longer be allowed to the United Kingdom.
No Yemeni cargo permitted with security
Both the United Kingdom and also the U.S. are on full alert, as the suspicious Yemeni cargo – consisting of altered printer toner cartridges – impacted UPS deliveries by air and truck. ”All aspects of freight security” are being reviewed Home Secretary Theresa May says. The ban that originally existed for freight from Yemen has been extended to Somali freight. Checked luggage will only be allowed to have cartridges from known suppliers when cartridges more than 500 grams in weight will not be allowed as a carry on anymore.
Don’t worry, May says
Labour Party member of Parliament Ed Balls told the Guardian that Home Secretary May has handled the Yemen freight threat with the utmost calm. However, the reliability of current methods of checking cargo – also as the British government’s brand of crisis response – are at the moment under investigation. Stopping terrorism is something the Yemeni govt ought to have as a “shared goal” with Parliament. This is what Balls and also the Parliament thinks will help the most. According to the Guardian, a 10 percent cut in the U.K.’s counter-terrorism spending budget might occur soon. Many like Balls are upset about this.
It is just a ‘A constant battle’
Home Secretary May assured Parliament that the British govt is committed to the “constant battle” against terrorism, and that Britain is “an international leader” in that regard. Dealing with Yemeni freight and other imported goods is part of that. The British police were also really calm with the situation, which May made sure for making clear. Once it is clear that bomb-detecting technology is able to recognize such devices as altered printer toner cartridges, however, security experts within the U.K. will sleep better at night.
Articles cited
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2010/nov/01/politics-live-blog
Yemeni student arrested
youtube.com/watch?v=lsBFaVNgYOw