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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: maceng2 who wrote (10291)	11/14/2001 4:49:15 AM
From: maceng2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

OK, some better news... Congress drops infighting to push through tougher airport security portal.telegraph.co.uk AFTER the crash of Flight 587, congressmen promised yesterday to sink political differences which have been delaying legislation to strengthen airport security. The bill, tabled after the September 11 attacks, had become deadlocked after Republicans and Democrats differed on whether airport security workers should be federal employees or continue to be private contractors working under government supervision. The Senate and most Democrats in Congress backed federal screeners, while House Republicans, supported by President Bush, wanted to continue to rely on private companies. But after Monday's disaster legislators promised to reach agreement to prevent a predicted slump in passenger numbers. Congressional leaders also fear that if they are seen to be squabbling at a time of national emergency, they will face widespread public anger. Security is still cited by a majority of people as the main cause of their fear of flying. Financial analysts have given warning that carriers, already struggling after September 11, could be forced to shut down if they experience another sharp fall off in revenue. The House minority leader, Richard Gephardt, said passing the legislation was now the politicians' number one priority. "People want to get it done yesterday," he said. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, the Republican senator for Texas, said disputes needed to be resolved quickly. "Regardless of the cause of this crash, we have to get a strong aviation security Bill passed this week. The American public needs it to give them confidence, and we have no excuse not to do it." The legislation would also place more air marshals on flights, introduce fortified cockpit doors, and increase anti-hijacking training for flight crews. Analysts say a number of airlines, led by America West, are so financially stretched another slump would force them to turn to the government's £7 billion in loan guarantees. Few of the major carriers can afford to raise money on the financial market and the budget airline SouthWest has had its credit reduced to "junk" status. It is predicted that 87 per cent of Americans will drive to see friends and relations at Christmas and New Year, 12 per cent more than last year. The number of bus trips over 1,000 miles has increased by 10 per cent since September 11 in a further indication of how many are abandoning air travel. Cristyne Nicholas, president of New York's tourism bureau, said the latest disaster was also a huge setback in the city's economic recovery. "It is a huge blow," she said. "It's not good timing because we were just starting to turn a corner and our bookings in the city were up to nearly 80 per cent from around 35 per cent." The day before the terrorist attacks bookings were at 90 per cent, she added.