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IT SEEMS THAT IT IS INNOCENT AMERICAN TOURISTS WHO ARE THE TARGET

OF THE TERRORISTS. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY TRAVELERS TO ABANDON

EUROPEAN TRAVEL PLANS TO THE DETRIMENT OF OUR INTERNATIONAL

AIRLINES.

THE RECENT TERRORIST INCIDENTS RAISE ANEW MANY OF THE

QUESTIONS ABOUT AIRPORT SECURITY THAT WE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING OVER THE PAST YEAR. ARE OUR EXISTING SECURITY SYSTEMS UP TO THE TASK? DO WE NEED TO MOVE AHEAD MORE VIGOROUSLY WITH SYSTEMS THAT

CAN DETECT THE VAPORS FROM PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES?

SHOULD WE RELY

LESS ON X-RAY OR SCANNING DEVICES AND MORE ON PHYSICAL HAND

SEARCHES? DO WE NEED FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS TO AIRCRAFT

BY GROUND WORKERS?

THESE AND OTHER QUESTIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED DURING THIS HEARING. I THANK THE CHAIRMEN OF OUR TWO COMMITTEES FOR CALLING

THIS HEARING AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE TESTIMONY OF THE WITNESSES

HERE TODAY.

Mr. MINETA. Mr. Chairman, at this time we have two very distinguished members of our Subcommittee on Aviation. Mr. Boehlert from New York wishes to make an opening statement.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Chairman Fascell for allowing us to participate in this very important hearing.

I just want to stress that terror has been described as a frost that shall halt the flood of thinking. However, clear thinking is exactly what is needed these days. The United States simply cannot permit international terrorism to continue unchecked.

Controlling these indiscriminate acts of violence is an ongoing challenge even with the full force of international law and military strength. Therefore, we must devise a better framework for our efforts against terrorism. We must concentrate on developing superior technology to get a step ahead of the terrorist.

Creating a new generation of better detection equipment superior to existing x ray and sniffing devices is an absolute must, and we must step up cooperation between our allies, other nations, and the airline industry, which all understand the existing menace.

Finally, existing security measures here and abroad must be made even more professional. More indepth, specialized training should be required. Existing security personnel, such as sky marshals, would have their efforts redirected toward helping Government and industry fight the terrorist threat.

Mr. MINETA. Mr. Chairman, at this time I also would like to yield time to a very hard working member of our subcommittee from Iowa, Mr. Lightfoot.

Mr. LIGHTFOOT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for having this hearing today and also for the witnesses who have joined us. I hope we have better luck in resolving this problem we are having with the speaker system in here.

But looking over the witness list, we recognize some of the names and organizations from hearings that we held on this subject on airport security last year. Since then Congress has passed several measures, as Mr. Mineta pointed out, to improve airport security around the world. Yet, I think the recent events that we have seen would suggest a lot more needs to be done.

Perhaps our entire idea of airport security needs to be redefined. We need to review current policy and then search for answers to some fundamental questions about how far we are willing to go to ensure that our airports and the travelers that use them are safe. Thank you for yielding.

Chairman FASCELL. The chairman of the International Operations Subcommittee, Dan Mica.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, first I would like to commend you and Chairman Mineta for joining in these hearings. Obviously, this is a very timely subject. Just this morning another situation involving, I understand, several pounds of plastics were taken from a potential terrorist boarding an El Al plane in London. This happened just in the past few hours.

This committee has done an outstanding job-the three of us-in trying to address this issue jointly, and I think that we have made some great progress.

Unfortunately, we have made some recommendations that still have not been acted upon, and I hesitate to do this, but I think it is important to say this. We recommended an international coordinating committee on terrorism at the highest levels of government. We have tried to get that committee off the ground, and unfortunately, it appears the French have been the ones who have rejected even consideration of that proposal on an international basis. And after last week's problems, it just seems to me that we really need to take a special look at our problems and our relations, see if there is anything we can do to repair it or get it on a different track.

When we cannot get economic sanctions, when we cannot get the right for a basic flyover, and when we cannot even get on the agenda the discussion of a coordinating committee on terrorism because of the objections of the French, I think there is something wrong. So, we will continue with this and do the best we can under the circumstances, and as I opened and said, I commend you for your leadership in this very important area.

Mr. MINETA. Mr. Chairman, may I also yield time to a very fine colleague on our Aviation Subcommittee, Congressman Rowland from Georgia?

Mr. ROWLAND. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I just want to express my appreciation to you, Mr. Hammerschmidt, the other subcommittee chairman, and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee for focusing on an ever present and increasing threat of terrorism, one that is always with us. And I appreciate very much this hearing.

Chairman FASCELL. We will now hear from our expert witnesses who are here to discuss the question of terrorism and tourism, and our first witness is Capt. Henry Duffy, president of the Air Line Pilots Association. Mr. Duffy, would you take a seat at the table and join us? I know you have a prepared statement. Let me thank you for cooperating with our committees on this very important subject. And if you will identify yourself and who is with you for the record, you may proceed with your statement.

STATEMENT OF HENRY A. DUFFY, PRESIDENT, AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION

Mr. DUFFY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With me today is Mr. Harold Olson, a member of our engineering and air safety department.

Chairman FASCELL. You have to tilt the mike up and talk right into it.

Mr. DUFFY. All right. Mr. Chairman, with me today is Mr. Harold Olson, a member of our engineering and air safety department.

On behalf of the 34,000 pilots that fly for 49 airlines in this country, ALPA appreciates this opportunity to address the committee and I am very grateful for the opportunity to appear before you today. I would like to compliment you and all the members of the three subcommittees for your continued interest in airport and airline security and how we can best combat the threat that international terrorism poses to air travelers.

AIRLINES PRIME TERRORIST TARGETS

Despite all the efforts made by you and the administration in response to TWA 847 hijacking, the recent tragedy on board TWA flight 840, as well as the cold-blooded attacks on passengers at the Rome and Vienna airports, point up the fact that airlines and their passengers remain two of the most attractive targets for terrorists. The reasons for this attraction include the following. Airlines are highly identifiable with their country. Many are government owned, and even privately owned airlines, such as TWA and Pan American, are widely considered to represent their countries; hence, the name flag carrier.

There could be as many as 400 passengers of different nationalities on a single flight. To a terrorist they make attractive victims and hostages.

The place of attack can be selected from a variety of airports taking into consideration such factors as security arrangements, proximity to destination and the political stance of the Government.

Modern aircraft cost many millions of dollars. Where else can something so valuable be destroyed so easily?

Aircraft are relatively fragile and can be disabled or destroyed with a few dollars' worth of easily obtainable materials.

One of the prime goals of terrorists is publicity. Aircraft sabotage, hijackings and attacks on airport terminals are proven worldwide attention getters.

The Air Line Pilots Association with the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations has been deeply involved in this area of crimes against civil aviation since the late 1960's. In fact, I have just returned from the annual IFALPA conference in London where the topics of aviation security and terrorism dominated the meeting. I will discuss our findings and our recommendations with you in just a moment.

Mr. Chairman, I am sure no one will forget the shocking events of last year's hijacking of TWA 847. This tragedy jolted the Western World into realizing that the principal threat to flight security no longer comes from confused misanthropes and homesick Cubans, but from highly trained, politically motivated terrorist groups who would willingly kill hostages and die themselves, if necessary, to make a point.

FLIGHT 840'S IMPACT ON U.S. ANTITERRORISM POLICY

Although we wish that this incident had never taken place, some benefits did result from it. We believe that the improvements in security that have been made since that time would normally have taken many years to accomplish.

Within 1 month after the TWA crisis, the FAA made three substantial emergency changes to Federal Aviation Regulation Part 108, which deals with airplane operator security. These measures dealt with the use of Federal air marshals, expanded flight security coordination and crew training, and the establishment of more stringent standards for examining passenger luggage.

In late November of last year, the FAA took further steps to enhance security by establishing new special procedures for airlines.

to follow with regard to baggage check-in and the shipment of cargo.

The Congress should be commended for the actions it took last year with the passage of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1985. This measure included several important provisions designed to strengthen methods of combating air piracy, both in the United States and abroad. However, much more is needed if we are to provide greater protection to the traveling public.

ALPA SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS

First, FAA research programs must be given additional support to develop new explosive detection devices. The sooner such devices can be developed and put in place, the sooner such tragedies, such as TWA 840, can be avoided.

Second, adequate resources must be provided for the FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security. ALPA believes that this office has done a remarkably effective and efficient job considering its limited resources. However, more is needed if it is to provide high quality and effective countermeasures and defenses to terrorist attacks on civil aviation.

This goes beyond just money. Enough people must be assigned to do the job of supervising security programs effectively. In the airport itself we need to ensure

Chairman FASCELL. I hate to do this, but we are having trouble with the microphones, and you are going to have to talk as close to the microphone as possible.

Mr. DUFFY. You would think that from doing this on the airplane all the time, I would get the hang of it, wouldn't you?

Chairman FASCELL. I apologize.

Mr. DUFFY. This goes beyond just money. Enough people must be assigned to do the job of supervising security programs effectively. In the airport itself we need to ensure that top quality, highly motivated screening people are employed and properly trained.

Third, Mr. Chairman, more action needs to be taken by the FAA through the regulatory process to further streamline security programs. Currently, there exists a great deal of difference in the quality of security programs from airport to airport.

ALPA would also adopt the rapid adoption of the pending rule which would limit the amount and size of carry-on luggage. This would be extremely helpful in improving the effectiveness of our screening procedures.

Fourth, we would recommend that the FAA be directed to establish and maintain a meaningful training program for airline personnel and that adequate funds be appropriated to support it. The mandatory 8-hour training program required by Secretary Dole last year and conducted by the airlines was for the most part hastily prepared and carried out. Flight crews and ground personnel must be adequately trained to be a part of the whole fabric of aviation security for they can play a major role in preventing a disaster from occurring.

And fifth, we would urge the Congress to take swift and favorable action on legislation H.R. 4191 which would prohibit the manufacture and importation of weapons, such as plastic guns, which