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More stringent security at European airports

Hasan Suroor

Move for screening passenger data for all flights

LONDON: Air travel across Europe is likely to become more stressful and time-consuming as Britain and other European countries plan to step up airport security in the wake of the alleged airline terror plot uncovered by Scotland Yard last week.

At a meeting of Interior Ministers from the European Union countries, hosted by British Home Secretary John Reid, there was broad agreement on the need for a common E.U.-wide policy to protect airports and airlines from terrorists.

Mr. Reid argued in favour of uniform security measures throughout the E.U. saying: "We don't have a position where terrorists feel if it is difficult to get through security checks in London, they might be able to go to Paris or Frankfurt or Berlin.'' The measures introduced at Heathrow and other British airports after the discovery of the terror plot are more stringent than at some other European airports prompting criticism that it leaves the door open for potential terrorists to use these as "staging posts.''

Britain wants Heathrow-style security, especially the new restrictions on hand luggage, to be extended to all airports in Europe and the issue would be discussed at a meeting of E.U. Transport Ministers next week.

Mr. Reid said the terrorist threat was not "unique'' to Britain but affected the entire European Union.

"What's clear to all of us is that we face a persistent and very real threat across Europe. It is a threat we face here in Britain as individuals and as communities, but it's not unique to the U.K. It affects all across the European Union,'' he said after the meeting which discussed a raft of counter-terror measures, including "positive profiling'' of passengers based on biometric checks.

Franco Frattini, vice-president of the European Commission, called for advanced screening of passenger data for all flights originating from or entering E.U. countries. "We need to improve the exchange of data of passengers travelling by plane... like the system we use for the U.S., Canada and Australia,'' he said.

Meanwhile, police have been granted more time by a district judge to question the 23 persons arrested in connection with the alleged plot to blow up American planes.

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