Australia tightens cargo security, says Julia Gillard
Source: the australian
AUSTRALIAN security officials will screen all incoming cargo from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha after the discovery of explosives in US-bound cargo.
The move by Australian security officials to ensure no packages from Yemen enter the nation unchecked came after the US tightened its security measures on cargo.
Julia Gillard said today she was also taking further briefings over border security in the wake of the discoveries, thought to be linked to terrorist organisation al-Qa'ida.
The packages, bound for synagogues in Chicago, were intercepted in transit at East Midlands, in Britain, and Dubai.
The Prime Minister, visiting Hanoi for the East Asia summit, said Australian officials were still digesting intelligence about the attacks but had acted quickly.
"Our transport security officials have moved so that there will be comprehensive, 100 per cent screening of cargo coming from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha," Ms Gillard told reporters after a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
"There are no direct flights from Yemen to Australia so any cargo that originated in Yemen would have come through one of those three locations and there will be 100 per cent screening in response.
"I will take any further advice arising from this incident."
Ms Gillard said most Australians equated aviation security with their own experience as air travellers.
"We do have a range of security measures for cargo and for people and goods that move by sea."
US President Barack Obama, after being alerted to the "credible terrorist threat" overnight, said earlier today he had directed a tightening of security measures that included increased cargo screening.
AUSTRALIAN security officials will screen all incoming cargo from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha after the discovery of explosives in US-bound cargo.
The move by Australian security officials to ensure no packages from Yemen enter the nation unchecked came after the US tightened its security measures on cargo.
Julia Gillard said today she was also taking further briefings over border security in the wake of the discoveries, thought to be linked to terrorist organisation al-Qa'ida.
The packages, bound for synagogues in Chicago, were intercepted in transit at East Midlands, in Britain, and Dubai.
The Prime Minister, visiting Hanoi for the East Asia summit, said Australian officials were still digesting intelligence about the attacks but had acted quickly.
"Our transport security officials have moved so that there will be comprehensive, 100 per cent screening of cargo coming from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha," Ms Gillard told reporters after a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
"There are no direct flights from Yemen to Australia so any cargo that originated in Yemen would have come through one of those three locations and there will be 100 per cent screening in response.
"I will take any further advice arising from this incident."
Ms Gillard said most Australians equated aviation security with their own experience as air travellers.
"We do have a range of security measures for cargo and for people and goods that move by sea."
US President Barack Obama, after being alerted to the "credible terrorist threat" overnight, said earlier today he had directed a tightening of security measures that included increased cargo screening.
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