Chertoff Seeks More Radiation Scans on Small Planes

Conducting radiation screens of small aircraft entering the United States is a top priority for the U.S. Homeland Security Department, Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday. He reaffirmed earlier concerns that terrorists could try to smuggle radiological materials for “dirty bombs” on small planes or boats, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, June 19).

In testimony to the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, Chertoff also worried that terrorists are recruiting new members with European Union passports that might receive less scrutiny at U.S. borders.

“Terrorists are deliberately focusing on people who have legitimate Western European passports, who don't appear to have records as terrorists," he said. “I have a good degree of confidence we can catch people coming in. But I have to tell you ... there's no guarantee. And they are working very hard to slip by us” (Eileen Sullivan, Associated Press/Washington Post, July 18