Homeland Security

DATE=10/17/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AIRLINES SEARCHED (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-308750

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A search has been ordered on every commercial airliner in the United States after box cutters -- the same weapon used by the September 11th hijackers two years ago -- were found aboard jets in Houston and New Orleans. Correspondent Nick Simeone tells us the F-B-I, at this stage, does not think the find was part of a terrorist plot.

TEXT: Bags containing the box cutters and some other suspicious items were found in the lavatories of two jets belonging to Southwest Airlines, leading federal authorities to order a search of every commercial airliner in the United States.

But law enforcement officials say notes were also found on the planes urging whoever discovered the items to alert authorities about how what is supposed to be stepped up airport security failed to detect such objects before they were smuggled aboard.

Apparently because of that, F-B-I Director Robert Mueller does not, at this stage at least, suspect the find was part of possible plot to hijack or sabotage airliners.

/// MUELLER ACT ///

What I will tell you is there does not appear to be an imminent threat, it does not seem to be a terrorist act and we are in the middle of the investigation.

/// END ACT ///

Authorities have not said if they have any leads into who may have brought the items on board the two planes. But an estimated seven thousand commercial airliners in the United States have been ordered searched by Saturday as a precaution.(SIGNED)

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