Thursday, 4:30 PM
Homeland chief visits Boston T stop
By Mac Daniel, Globe staff
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Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff with MBTA Transit Police Chief Joseph C. Carter (rear) at the Government Center Station on the MBTA's Blue Line today. (Globe Staff Photo / David L. Ryan) |
Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff marked the year anniversary of the London terrorist bombings by riding the MBTA today, touting federal aid to combat terror in Boston but refusing to reveal any details about the alleged terrorist plot that was foiled in New York City.
Chertoff said the New York plot was revealed "several months ago" and was acted on immediately "to disrupt the completion of any plot."
" We take all threats seriously," said Chertoff at a press conference outside Government Center station. "We don't wait until someone has lit the fuse to step in and prevent something from happening. That would be playing games with people's lives."
It was announced today that authorities had disrupted a plot by foreign terrorists to attack the train tunnels beneath the Hudson River used by thousands of New York City commuters every day, said the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Law enforcement officials said the plot involved at least eight people living overseas, including an alleged al-Qaida operative in Lebanon who has been arrested and charged.
"We believe we intercepted this group early in their plotting and, in fact, the plan has largely been disrupted," Mershon said.
Chertoff declined to discuss specifics about the case and even declined to specify whether it involved the Holland or Lincoln tunnels or the New York transit system.
He did say that he was never concerned that the plot would be executed because he said federal and local authorities acted swiftly to stop it.
Chertoff came to the press conference after a short ride on the Green Line from North Station. He said he had many fond memories of the T from his day at Harvard University and Harvard Law School.
