Honolulu – Obama Acknowledges Government Screw-Up About Terror Suspect

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    U.S. President Barack Obama leaves after giving a statement at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Hawaii December 29, 2009. Obama said on Tuesday that it was clear a systemic failure had occurred in connection with the failed attack on a Detroit-bound passenger plane on Christmas Day. [REUTERS/Hugh Gentry]Honolulu – President Barack Obama said Tuesday “a systemic failure” allowed the attempted Christmas Day attack on a Detroit-bound flight from Amsterdam. He called it “totally unacceptable.” The president said he wants preliminary results by Thursday from two investigations he has ordered to examine the many lapses that occurred.

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    “There was a mix of human and systemic failures that contributed to this potential catastrophic breach of security,” Obama said.

    It will take weeks for a more comprehensive investigation into what allowed a 23-year-old Nigerian carrying explosives onto the flight despite the fact the suspect had possible ties to al-Qaida, Obama said.

    “It’s essential that we diagnose the problems quickly,” the president said, interrupting his vacation for a second consecutive day to address the incident, with more anger this time directed at the flaws in the U.S. system.

    The suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was on one advisory list, but never made it onto more restrictive lists that would have caught the attention of U.S. counterterrorist screeners, despite his father’s warnings to U.S. Embassy officials in Nigeria last month. Those warnings also did not result in Abdulmutallab’s U.S. visa being revoked.

    On top of that, airport security equipment did not detect the bomb-making devices and materials he allegedly carried on board the Northwest Airlines flight carrying nearly 300 people.

    Obama said many things went right after the incident, with passengers and the flight crew subduing the man and government officials working quickly to increase security. He singled out his homeland security secretary, Janet Napolitano, backing her much-criticized comments that the attempted terror attack showed the aviation security system worked.

    “As Secretary Napolitano has said, once the suspect attempted to take down Flight 253, after his attempt, it’s clear that passengers and crew, our homeland security systems, and our aviation security took all appropriate actions,” Obama said.

    Napolitano received so much criticism for her Sunday talk show remarks that she did another round of interviews the following day to say the system did not work in preventing Abdulmutallab from getting on the plane with a bomb. But, she said, the response system did work after the man was subdued. She contends her remarks were taken out of context.

    Republicans are questioning her judgment and a few have called for her resignation. The White House says her job is safe.

    However, Obama said: “What’s also clear is this: When our government has information on a known extremist and that information is not shared and acted upon as it should have been … a systemic failure has occurred. And I consider that totally unacceptable.”

    The two reviews, which Obama said got under way on Sunday, are looking at airport security procedures and the U.S. system of terror watchlists.

    “It now appears that weeks ago this information was passed to a component of our intelligence community but was not effectively distributed so as to get the suspect’s name on a no-fly list,” Obama said. “Even without this one report, there were bits of information available within the intelligence community that could have and should have been pieced together.”

    Had that happened, he said, “the warning signs would have triggered red flags, and the suspect would have never been allowed to board that plane for America.”


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    16 Comments
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    Bluh as in Rosen,zemach zedek
    Bluh as in Rosen,zemach zedek
    14 years ago

    I think he is setting up Napalitano to take the fall.He”ll force her to retire, than pat himself on the back

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Good morning Mr. President, you are so smart!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    this story happened on friday where were you until now we are four days after the foiled terror bombing!?

    Amen
    Amen
    14 years ago

    TO #3:
    Exactly my sentiments. His response to Ft. Hood was also somewhat delayed, and icy cold considering the human tragedy that occurred. Remember, his name has been and will always be Barack HUSSEIN Obama.

    Square Bear
    Square Bear
    14 years ago

    How is it possible that every instinct President Barack Dinkins Obama has is wrong, and results in making problems even worse?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    I think this whole president is a systemic failure. Is a joke!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    What baloney. The first thing the President ordered the FBI is to read the terrorist his miranda right to remain silent. They gave this terrorist American Citizen Constitutional Rights. Next comes a free civil rights attorney to fight all charges, many levels of appeals and show trials. Nothing will happen. My friends, the Arabs are waging war against the USA and we have given them all American Citizenship. Pure insanity. We have become an insane nation under the Barack Hussein Obama Democrat Administration. HaShem Help Us !!!!

    The Truth
    The Truth
    14 years ago

    America – Joe Public said Tuesday “a systemic failure” has allowed the failure of the nation to all the Public by The President. He called it “totally unacceptable.” Mr Public said he wants preliminary results by Thursday from two independent investigators, to examine the many lapses that have occurred.
    “There was a mix of human and systemic failures that has contributed to this catastrophic breach of security and trust” Mr Public said.

    It will take weeks for a more comprehensive investigation into what allowed an inexperienced 48-year-old Kenyan carrying hidden agendas into the White House despite the fact the suspect has possible ties to terrorists and Black Listed groups,” Public said.

    “It’s essential that we diagnose the problems quickly,” Public says, interrupting his hard work for the 343rd consecutive day to address the incident, with more anger this time directed at the flaws in the U.S. system.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    This administration from top down is not ready for prime time – they have no experience and haven’t has any decisiveness to decision making process.

    Bring Bush Back – even with their problems Bush Cheney had some handle on what’s happening

    wow
    wow
    14 years ago

    wow, at least he can own up to and admit it! remeber pompous arrogant bushie who after 5 years said he couldnt think of not one single mistake he had ever made? mister infallible? at least obama has the guts and courage to say it like it is!
    kol hakavod mister president, its about time we had a mensch in the white house