Terrorist threat scuttled US flight (Delta-Kenya-Odinga was to officiate)

Daily Nation ^ | 6-3-09

[STARWISE]

The threat of a missile attack on planes using Nairobi’s main airport led to the cancellation of an inaugural direct flight between Kenya and the US.

The Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nairobi was called off at the last minute on Tuesday after an American Cabinet minister personally called the chief executive of the world’s largest airline, which was launching the only direct flight between the two cities.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was to officiate at the arrival ceremony at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya's capital Nairobi. But hours before the maiden flight, American intelligence learnt of a possible attack on aircraft using JKIA by terrorists armed with shoulder-launched missiles, similar to the ones used on a botched raid against an Israeli airliner in Mombasa seven years ago.

The missile did not hit the aircraft though another simultaneous attack on an Israeli-owned hotel in Kikambala, Kilifi District, killed 15 people. A flurry of high-level consultation within the Obama government preceded the decision by US Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano to stop the flight.

The threat of a missile attack on planes using Nairobi’s main airport led to the cancellation of an inaugural direct flight between Kenya and the US.

The Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nairobi was called off at the last minute on Tuesday after an American Cabinet minister personally called the chief executive of the world’s largest airline, which was launching the only direct flight between the two cities.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was to officiate at the arrival ceremony at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya's capital Nairobi. But hours before the maiden flight, American intelligence learnt of a possible attack on aircraft using JKIA by terrorists armed with shoulder-launched missiles, similar to the ones used on a botched raid against an Israeli airliner in Mombasa seven years ago.

The missile did not hit the aircraft though another simultaneous attack on an Israeli-owned hotel in Kikambala, Kilifi District, killed 15 people. A flurry of high-level consultation within the Obama government preceded the decision by US Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano to stop the flight.

She personally called the Delta boss following recommendations from the American Transport Security Administration. Kenya Airports Authority managing director George Muhoho said a US inspection team had visited Kenya five weeks ago and certified the airport as safe.

Increased patrols

“I think the issue being raised is not the airport per se but the East African region. Otherwise we increased patrols as they had asked us to, among other measures, and they said it was okay,” he said.

The Transport Security Administration, part of the Department of Homeland Security, issued a statement which read in part: “TSA is currently denying air service by Delta to Nairobi and Monrovia until security standards are met or security threat assessments change.”

The FBI believes Saleh Ali Saleh, an al Qaeda operative, was behind that attack. He remains at large.

[STARWISE]

Kenya’s fury at cancelled Delta flights

###

The Kenya government on Wednesday reacted angrily to America’s decision to cancel Delta Airlines’ maiden direct flight to Nairobi.

Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula summoned US ambassador Michael Ranneberger to his office and demanded an explanation over the abrupt move.

At a Press conference where Mr Ranneberger was present, the minister said: “Things can be done in a much better manner. Great friends like Kenya and America do not have to communicate through website postings,” Mr Wetang’ula said.

The government’s furious reaction stemmed from a decision by the US Department of Homeland Security to cancel the flight from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nairobi. A statement from the US embassy issued on Tuesday attributed the decision to “last minute issues”.

Security concerns

Before summoning Mr Ranneberger to the news conference, Mr Wetang’ula had enumerated to journalists the steps Kenya had taken to ensure it addressed all the security concerns which the US had raised.

The minister also cited preparations that had been made ahead of the flight, including sending Prime Minister Raila Odinga to the US to sign two agreements in order to enable the flights to commence. He said they had also sent Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere to Atlanta to be on the inaugural flight.

Mr Ranneberger was at pains to explain the last minute change. “I very much regret the manner in which the decision reached the government. I have spoken to the Prime Minister and I have emphasised that it is a postponement and that we will resume soon,” he said.

The airline’s country representative, Ms Jane Mwangi, told the Nation that they were still in office pending further directions from their superiors.

The office has four employees. “Due to noted security vulnerabilities in and around Nairobi and the failure to meet international security standards and appropriate recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) at the Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, TSA is currently denying air service by Delta to Nairobi and Monrovia until security standards are met or security threat assessments change,” read the statement announcing the cancellation.

On Tuesday, the Kenya Government, through its spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua, maintained that security arrangements both at the airport and in the capital city were up to standards.

“The Government of Kenya has complied with all the additional security measures requested by Delta and Nairobi airports’ security is excellent,” Dr Mutua said in a statement.

United States Ambassador to Kenya Michael Rannerberger, flanked by Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetenag’ula, during a media briefing where the ambassador addressed the issue of the cancellation of the official launch of direct flights by Delta Airlines from the US to Kenya.

~~~

Whoa .. Moses is really in a pompous snit. I'll bet Odinga is apoplectic at losing the publicity of officiating on the maiden flight and missing the chance to grandstand in the US while signing the agreement. Arrogant Odaddyhustlers, aren't they ?

[STARWISE]

~~PING!

[keats5]

LOL! Sounds like Odinga had a hard time getting ahold of a live person to talk to at Delta.

Those two deserve each other.

[SunkenCiv]

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was to officiate at the arrival ceremony at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya's capital Nairobi. But hours before the maiden flight, American intelligence learnt of a possible attack on aircraft using JKIA by terrorists armed with shoulder-launched missiles, similar to the ones used on a botched raid against an Israeli airliner in Mombasa seven years ago.

[callisto]

A flurry of high-level consultation within the Obama government preceded the decision by US Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano to stop the flight.

The 0ne couldn't have a US plane blown out of the air the day before his Muslim speech "to the world."

[STARWISE]

A flurry of high-level consultation within the Obama government preceded the decision by US Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano to stop the flight.

She personally called the Delta boss following recommendations from the American Transport Security Administration. Kenya Airports Authority managing director George Muhoho said a US inspection team had visited Kenya five weeks ago and certified the airport as safe.

[ken5050]

They wanted a direct flight when they deport Zero’s grandmamma..I meant..does Delta really need this S**T?

[STARWISE]

Wondering if they or their bankers got any bailout funds?

[martinidon]

but I thought the Muslims loved the us now......

[a fool in paradise]

Heck, there may have been a missile launched at a plane leaving the Bush Intercontinental airport in Houston last Friday.

[the invisib1e hand]

Mr Wetang’ula web is unwoven.

[cousair]

You got that right!!!!!

[holden]

The 0ne couldn't have a US plane blown out of the air the day before his Muslim speech "to the world."

As the story embarrasingly points out Amb. Rannerberger to have said, this is a postponement, and that the flight service will resume soon.

At best, 0zero has merely delayed this or a similar price being exacted of us via an international-U.S. air carrier attack. How fitting that it should come where Zero's relatives are so firmly in charge, as if to highlight how doing it the Kenyan Obama family way will expose us to every manner of danger far more immediately than every other way!

HF

[True Republican Patriot]

How many Million Dollars did this guy contribute to get assigned this Ambassadorship? Hope it wasn’t more than $1000 dollars, because if it was, he got ripped off by the Missing Village Idiot!

DELTA must be counting their Blessings over the Cancellation. Wonder what theats they endured to finally implement Flights to Obozo;s Birthplace? They sure better not be expecting it to be profitable:-)

[True Republican Patriot]

How did ODINGA find time to sign the agreement and still maintain his schedule of Burning Down Christian Churches with their Congregants being Incinerated Alive? and Obama is in Germany saying Nast Things about the Germans of 65 Years Ago while Blessing ODINGA’s Actions thru a Stone Silence and tacit Approval!!!! OUTRAGEOUS!! Why are Our Churches stone Silent on this carnage and still Drooling over this Messiah of SATAN?

[Category Four]

Delta must be counting their Blessings over the Cancellation. Wonder what theats they endured to finally implement Flights to Obozo's Birthplace? They sure better not be expecting it to be profitable :-)

Juaneva Emptysuit and Acorn have ways of making them turn a "profit." Damn near nobody'll fly it, except under duress, after which he'll look to get his hooks into Delta.

This new Delta will indeed turn profitable -- about 20 years after Amtrak does.