Part Of New 'Immigration Security Initiative'

The United States wants to place its own inspectors at several foreign airports within months to seek out potential terrorists, a plan which some foreign officials say would undermine their sovereignty. Robert Bonner, the U.S. Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, told Reuters on Tuesday the agency was in preliminary talks with a number of countries about the new "Immigration Security Initiative," under which U.S. inspectors would vet the passports of U.S.-bound travelers.

Discussed Tanker Deal, Among Other Things

With the 767 tanker program in trouble and the Wichita plant's future uncertain, members of Kansas' congressional delegation met Wednesday with Boeing chief executive Harry Stonecipher. And they have questions. Stonecipher's visit with Tiahrt, Roberts, Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, is his first since taking over for ousted chief executive Phil Condit in December. The meeting was promised in January, after a rumored sale of Boeing Wichita prompted a hastily arranged conference call in which Stonecipher reassured lawmakers that the plant wasn't for sale -- right now. Since then, the sale rumors have died down while the tanker tribulation continues.

Eleven Safety Improvements Recommended

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents the 11,000 pilots who fly for American Airlines, submitted this week its official recommendations to the NTSB following a nearly three-year long investigation into the crash of American Airlines Flight 587. As expected, the organization faulted the aircraft manufacturer. The accident occurred November 12, 2001, at Belle Harbor, New York, shortly after take-off of when the aircraft tail separated from the fuselage. APA investigators, led by First Officer John David, said four areas were critical in causing the accident, including the fact that aircraft manufacturer Airbus failed to notify pilots about the unique characteristics of the rudder control system.

Flights To Resume On Friday

American Airlines will resume its daily service to Haiti on Friday, March 5 from both New York's Kennedy Airport and Miami. American had suspended all of its service to and from Haiti on Feb. 26 through Wednesday, March 3 after the civil uprising in the unstable Caribbean nation. American suspended service after many of its employees had difficulty getting to work at the Port-au-Prince airport because of civil disturbances. President Jean Betrand Aristide resigned and left the country on Sunday. A large extra contingent of US Marines then occupied the airport and other key facilities throughout the capital city of Port au Prince. With the international airport now under Us control, airlines -- like American -- are able to safely resume their operati