Maine leaders reassure travelers

Maine officials encouraged the public Thursday not to worry for their safety in light of the foiled terrorist attack on U.S.-bound airplanes from the United Kingdom.

But air travelers should be prepared for long lines and extra security measures at airports, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Thursday afternoon after speaking with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on a secure line at the Bangor Air National Guard base.

“We’re never going to be completely safe, but I believe all appropriate measures have been taken,” said Collins, who heads the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The plot was sophisticated and operational and had “all the hallmarks of al-Qaida,” Collins said. Law enforcement and intelligence officials continue to search for suspects connected to the plot, though there’s no indication anyone living in America was involved, she said.

Collins praised the cooperation of British and American intelligence for thwarting the terrorist scheme, which could have proved disastrous, she said.

“This was a very serious plot with extremely lethal consequences,” Collins said. “This is a victory for the international cooperation in the war on terrorism.”

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, similarly praised the efforts of British intelligence and said the U.S. government’s greatest single responsibility is to ensure the safety of the American people.

“It is clear we continue to be the target of terrorists who threaten our very way of life,” Snowe stated in a press release Thursday. “They have proven their willingness to cross international borders and use whatever means necessary to accomplish their goal of mass murder and the disruption of all freedom-loving societies.”

Canceling a planned press event in Portland, Gov. John Baldacci held an impromptu meeting with reporters Thursday morning at the Maine Emergency Management Agency in Augusta to update news outlets on the state government’s reaction to world events.

“Early information indicates that the British police have foiled a terrorist attack on airliners using explosives,” Baldacci said. “There are no threats against the United States or the state of Maine at this time. Maine officials are engaged in the response to this incident and are closely coordinating with federal officials to assist their efforts. The raising of the threat level is seen as a precaution to increase vigilance and security for air travel.”

Shortly after 1 a.m. when authorities in the United Kingdom were foiling the terrorist attack, Maine’s Adjutant General Major General Bill Libby was awakened by a call from the federal Homeland Security Department.

“I didn’t feel the need to get the governor out of bed, so I called the Blaine House at 5:14,” said the state commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. “I did get him out of bed then, though.”

Libby and Baldacci quickly rearranged their schedules for the day to check with state law enforcement and transportation officials for briefings on the implications for Maine as the national threat level for flights heading to the United States from Great Britain was raised to “code red.”

Baldacci said he was remaining in touch with officials from airports in Portland and Bangor. Both airports reported that operations were running smoothly and that passengers should allow at least an extra half hour for themselves at the airports before boarding a plane.

In addition, the airports were not allowing most liquids on planes at this time, as reports indicated the suspected terrorists were going to use liquid explosives on the airplanes.

“There is a lot of overseas business, specifically with Bangor International Airport,” said the governor. “I want to tell you that there is no need for alarm or worry at this time. But I would advise you to allow a little bit of extra time when you are going to the airport for air travel.”

Acting MEMA director Charles Jacobs said the police departments in Bangor and Portland were providing security in accordance with their procedures and, along with the Maine State Police, responded to a request from the federal Transportation Security Administration for increased security measures.