NZ To Consider Air Marshals, And Other Security Measures.
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NZ To Consider Air Marshals, And Other Security Measures.
TOP STORY
SUNDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2001
T O P S T O R Y
Gun-toting guards set for flights
21 October 2001
By GUYON ESPINER and SARAH CATHERALL
Armed guards may be put on international flights leaving the country and screening of domestic travellers is set to become permanent as the government steps up its response to terrorism.
The crackdown on air security came as police yesterday arrested a Manawatu man accused of causing a hoax anthrax scare. The 42-year-old man was charged with wasting police time after allegedly sending an envelope with powder through the post - forcing the closure of a mail centre.
And the global war against terrorism entered a major new phase last night, as the US combat troops launched an in-and-out raid into Afghanistan in the campaign to crush the Taliban government and the al Qaeda network.
Transport Minister Mark Gosche told the Sunday Star-Times cabinet was "very likely to agree" to making screening domestic passengers, currently only a temporary measure, permanent. A law change might be required.
The minister said officials would report by December on whether armed air marshals were needed on flights leaving New Zealand and whether airlines needed to strengthen cockpit doors.
Gosche said while New Zealand was seen as a low risk country, it also had international obligations.
"You don't live in isolation in aviation security. Other countries you fly to clearly have expectations of you - otherwise they stop you - so we've got to make sure we're up to date."
Experts believe screening is needed only for passengers boarding aircraft with more than 90 seats, although Gosche said screening for smaller aircraft "could be a possibility down the track".
A spokeswoman for the minister said a decision on how permanent screening would be funded had yet to be made.
Airlines are also to remove metal knives from on-board meals.
SUNDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2001
T O P S T O R Y
Gun-toting guards set for flights
21 October 2001
By GUYON ESPINER and SARAH CATHERALL
Armed guards may be put on international flights leaving the country and screening of domestic travellers is set to become permanent as the government steps up its response to terrorism.
The crackdown on air security came as police yesterday arrested a Manawatu man accused of causing a hoax anthrax scare. The 42-year-old man was charged with wasting police time after allegedly sending an envelope with powder through the post - forcing the closure of a mail centre.
And the global war against terrorism entered a major new phase last night, as the US combat troops launched an in-and-out raid into Afghanistan in the campaign to crush the Taliban government and the al Qaeda network.
Transport Minister Mark Gosche told the Sunday Star-Times cabinet was "very likely to agree" to making screening domestic passengers, currently only a temporary measure, permanent. A law change might be required.
The minister said officials would report by December on whether armed air marshals were needed on flights leaving New Zealand and whether airlines needed to strengthen cockpit doors.
Gosche said while New Zealand was seen as a low risk country, it also had international obligations.
"You don't live in isolation in aviation security. Other countries you fly to clearly have expectations of you - otherwise they stop you - so we've got to make sure we're up to date."
Experts believe screening is needed only for passengers boarding aircraft with more than 90 seats, although Gosche said screening for smaller aircraft "could be a possibility down the track".
A spokeswoman for the minister said a decision on how permanent screening would be funded had yet to be made.
Airlines are also to remove metal knives from on-board meals.
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NATIONAL NEWS
MONDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2001
N A T I O N A L N E W S S T O R Y
Tight security likely to stay
22 October 2001
By GLEN SCANLON
Security screening for domestic air travellers is likely to be made permanent next month, in response to the threat of terrorist attacks.
But a decision on whether armed guards would be included on flights leaving New Zealand was some way off, a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Mark Gosche said yesterday.
The Government introduced tougher security measures, including screening passengers, on bigger domestic aircraft after last month's terrorist attacks on the United States, providing $3.2 million for screening costs till December 15.
Passengers are being screened at Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown airports. Mr Gosche said the Cabinet would decide within the next few weeks if passenger screening on domestic flights would become the norm.
Some form of permanent screening was likely, though experts advised it was needed only for passengers boarding aircraft with more than 90 seats, Mr Gosche's spokeswoman said.
Mr Gosche had asked officials to report on the matter of armed guards and if airlines needed to strengthen cockpit doors, she said. Officials would cover the issue in a wider report requested on aviation security. It was due to be written next year but was brought forward after the attacks, and is now expected in December.
Any decision on the use of guards was unlikely before the end of the year, the spokeswoman said.
MONDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2001
N A T I O N A L N E W S S T O R Y
Tight security likely to stay
22 October 2001
By GLEN SCANLON
Security screening for domestic air travellers is likely to be made permanent next month, in response to the threat of terrorist attacks.
But a decision on whether armed guards would be included on flights leaving New Zealand was some way off, a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Mark Gosche said yesterday.
The Government introduced tougher security measures, including screening passengers, on bigger domestic aircraft after last month's terrorist attacks on the United States, providing $3.2 million for screening costs till December 15.
Passengers are being screened at Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown airports. Mr Gosche said the Cabinet would decide within the next few weeks if passenger screening on domestic flights would become the norm.
Some form of permanent screening was likely, though experts advised it was needed only for passengers boarding aircraft with more than 90 seats, Mr Gosche's spokeswoman said.
Mr Gosche had asked officials to report on the matter of armed guards and if airlines needed to strengthen cockpit doors, she said. Officials would cover the issue in a wider report requested on aviation security. It was due to be written next year but was brought forward after the attacks, and is now expected in December.
Any decision on the use of guards was unlikely before the end of the year, the spokeswoman said.
