Statement by the President on the Attempted Attack on Christmas Day and Recent Violence in Iran

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 28 , 2009

Statement by the President on the Attempted Attack on
Christmas Day and Recent Violence in Iran

10:01 A.M. HAST

THE PRESIDENT: Hey, guys. Good morning, everybody. I just want to take a few minutes to update the American people on the attempted terrorist attack that occurred on Christmas Day and the steps we're taking to ensure the safety and security of the country.

The investigation is ongoing and I spoke again this morning with Attorney General Eric Holder, the Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and my Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan. I asked them to keep -- continue monitoring the situation, to keep the American people and members of Congress informed.

Here's what we know so far. On Christmas Day, Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Detroit. As the plane made its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a passenger allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device on his body, setting off a fire.

Thanks to the quick and heroic actions of passengers and crew, the suspect was immediately subdued, the fire was put out, and the plane landed safely. The suspect is now in custody and had been charged with attempting to destroy an aircraft. And a full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism and we will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.

This was a serious reminder of the dangers that we face and the nature of those who threaten our homeland. Had the suspect succeeded in bringing down that plane it could have killed nearly 300 passengers and crew, innocent civilians preparing to celebrate the holidays with their families and friends.

The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your families safe and secure during this busy holiday season. Since I was first notified of this incident I've ordered the following actions to be taken to protect the American people and to secure air travel.

First, I directed that we take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the traveling public. We made sure that all flights still in the air were secure and could land safely. We immediately enhanced screening and security procedures for all flights, domestic and international. We added federal air marshals to flights entering and leaving the United States. And we're working closely in this country -- federal, state and local law enforcement -- with our international partners.

Second, I've ordered two important reviews because it's absolutely critical that we learn from this incident and take the necessary measures to prevent future acts of terrorism. The first review involves our watch list system, which our government has had in place for many years to identify known and suspected terrorists so that we can prevent their entry into the United States.

Apparently the suspect in the Christmas incident was in the system, but not on a watch list such as the so-called no-fly list. So I've ordered a thorough review not only of how information related to the subject was handled, but of the overall watch list system and how it can be strengthened.

The second review will examine all screening policies, technologies and procedures related to air travel. We need to determine just how the suspect was able to bring dangerous explosives aboard an aircraft and what additional steps we can take to thwart future attacks.

Third, I've directed my national security team to keep up the pressure on those who would attack our country. We do not yet have all the answers about this latest attempt, but those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know that the United States will do more than simply strengthen our defenses -- we will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle, and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us -- whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia, or anywhere where they are plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland.

Finally, the American people should remain vigilant, but also be confident. Those plotting against us seek not only to undermine our security, but also the open society and the values that we cherish as Americans. This incident, like several that have preceded it demonstrates that an alert and courageous citizenry are far more resilient than an isolated extremist. As a nation we will do everything in our power to protect our country, as Americans we will never give in to fear or division, we will be guided by our hopes, our unity, and our deeply held values. That's who we are as Americans. And that's what our brave men and women in uniform are standing up for as they spend the holidays in harm's way, and we will continue to do everything that we can to keep America safe in the New Year and beyond.

Before I leave let also briefly address the events that have taken place over the last few days in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States joins with the international community in strongly condemning the violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has apparently resulted in detentions, injuries and even death.

For months the Iranian people have sought nothing more than to exercise their universal rights. Each time they have done so they have been met with the iron fist of brutality, even on solemn occasions and holy days. And each time that has happened the world has watched with deep admiration for the courage and the conviction of the Iranian people, who are a part of Iran's great and enduring civilization.

What's taking place within Iran is not about the United States or any other country -- it's about the Iranian people and their aspirations for justice and a better life for themselves. And the decision of Iran's leaders to govern through fear and tyranny will not succeed in making those aspirations go away. As I said in Oslo, it's telling when governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation.

Along with all free nations the United States stands with those who seek their universal rights. We call upon the Iranian government to abide by the international obligations that it has to respect the rights of its own people. We call for the immediate release of all who have been unjustly detained within Iran. We will continue to bear witness to the extraordinary events that are taking place there. And I'm confident that history will be on the side of those who seek justice.

Thank you very much, everybody, and Happy New Year.

END

10:07 A.M.HAST

Source: The White House.

Alleged Christmas Day terrorist,
23 years old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab,
to be charged on January 8th, 2009

passenger terrorist ignited explosive Bomb in a terror terrorist attack on Christmas 2009	Delta Airlines Attempted Al Qaeda Terrorist Attack - Detroit from Amsterdam Bombing/ Explosives

A court hearing scheduled for Monday in which prosecutors were seeking to obtain permission to get DNA samples from Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old Nigerian man charged with attempting to blow up a Detroit-bound passenger jet, has been canceled.

Abdulmutallab is next scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court in Detroit for a detention hearing on Jan. 8, 2010.

According to the New York Post, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab traveled with a valid U.S. visa although he was on a broad U.S. list of possible security threats, was overpowered by passengers and crew on the Northwest Airlines flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit on December 25th, 2009 after setting alight an explosive device attached to his body. He was treated for burns and is in federal prison awaiting trial in the incident. He set off a firecracker on Northwest Airlines Flight 253, an Airbus 330 carrying 278 passengers..

Per CNN, Suspect identified: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab U.S. authorities believe an incident involving a small explosion aboard a Delta-Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit on Friday was an attempted act of terrorism, a White House official said.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve reports that the Northwest Airlines terror suspect has been identified as Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

Delta Airlines Attempted Terrorist Attack - Bombing suspect - Intento de atentado en U.S.A.

Explosive device set off in Airplane Intento de atentado en U.S.A. (E) Delta Airlines - Nieudany zamach terrorystyczny (PL) A passenger on a flight Friday from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit, Michigan, ignited a small explosive device shortly before landing and the White House is considering the incident an attempted terrorist attack, a senior administration official said. .

The Northwest passenger, identified as a Nigerian national "claiming to have extremist affiliation," was placed in custody and is being treated for burns suffered in the explosion, according to a federal government bulletin obtained by CNN from a source familiar with the investigation.

The explosive device "was acquired in Yemen along with instructions as to when it should be used," the bulletin said.

The FBI is investigating, bureau spokeswoman Sandra Berchtold said.

Airline officials described the explosives as resembling firecrackers. The Northwest Airlines flight, operated by Delta, was flying from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport. It made a safe landing and all 278 passengers were vacated to safety.

The alleged assailant was taken into custody by US authorities, who said he had confessed to attempting to carry out a terrorist attack on behalf of al-Qaeda. One senior US official described the suspect as a 23-year-old Nigerian.

President Obama orders tighter security.

He has allegedly told investigators that he acquired the explosive in Yemen, along with instructions on how to use them.

Dutch officials said the man was not a resident or a national of the Netherlands, and boarded Northwest Airlines Flight 253 after arriving on a connecting flight.

The White House said President Barack Obama, who is currently on holidays, convened a conference call with his national security team and ordered tighter security for air travel.

He has told US authorities he was part of a network of plotters set to kill thousands in attacks on jets in the West and warned: "There are more like me".

The Sun told yesterday how 25 British Muslims are in terror instruction camps in Yemen. They are expected back in the UK early in the New Year - to await orders on carrying out attacks for al-Qaeda.

Speaking of the terrors, per VOAnews, dated 23rd, December, news report stated that India Says At Least 12 Possible Terror Attacks Thwarted in 2009. India's home minister has revealed that at least a dozen potential terror strikes on the country were thwarted this year. But he says, as part of a sweeping restructuring of India's intelligence apparatus, his own ministry needs to be split.

Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said "12 or 13 potential terrorist attacks" have been foiled in 2009. And, that any one of them could have led to a repeat of last November's siege of Mumbai, blamed on Pakistani militants, in which more than 160 people died.

"It could have become one," Chidambaram said. "But we were able to neutralize it and thwart it. But, as I've said, we have to be lucky every time. And, so, let's put it to both luck and better intelligence and better intelligence sharing and better coordination."

But the home minister says India still has a long way to go to improve such coordination, noting that different agencies still cannot share critical information in their respective data bases. He also is stressing that a single agency needs to be the coordinator and that such an entity, the National Counter-Terrorism Center, should be in place by the end of 2010. He is calling for the center to have sweeping powers to respond to terror attacks.

During a lecture on intelligence matters Wednesday, Chidambaram said the United States established such a center within 36 months of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The home minister says "India cannot afford to wait" that long.

"The home minister should devote the whole of his or her time and energy to matters relating to security," Chidambaram said.

At present, the Ministry of Home Affairs has a sweeping mandate, in addition to internal security. This include relations between the states and the central government, overseeing the police and legislative aspects of laws, handling human rights, issuing visas to foreigners, supervising the country's international borders and disaster management.

On October 28th, 2009, the White House For Immediate Release shows that President Obama Signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.

President Obama accelerated or increased weapons programs needed to confront real and growing threats -- the Joint Strike Fighter, the Littoral Combat Ship, and more helicopters and reconnaissance support for the troops at the front.

Today, December 28th, 2009, President Obama expressed that The investigation is ongoing and he spoke again this morning with Attorney General Eric Holder, the Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and his Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan. he asked them to keep -- continue monitoring the situation, to keep the American people and members of Congress informed.

President Obama appreciated to the quick and heroic actions of passengers and crew, the suspect was immediately subdued, the fire was put out, and the plane landed safely. The suspect is now in custody and had been charged with attempting to destroy an aircraft. President Obama orders tighter security and security protection to be expending and continued......See more detail in above.

Sources:

White House

VOA News: .

White House

CNN

Youtube

TheSun

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, December 28th, 2009