Special Report: Failed Christmas day attack |
US President Barack Obama says a "systemic failure" occurred in connection with the failed Christmas plane attack. He has ordered an investigation, and asked for results by Thursday.
In Honolulu, Barack Obama cited a combination of human and systemic failures for the breach of security.
Barack Obama, US President. said, "This extremist boards a plane with dangerous explosives that could cost nearly 300 lives. A systemic failure has occurred and I consider that totally unacceptable."
Obama also criticized US intelligence for dropping the ball on a report from the suspect's father. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's father had said his son had adopted alarming political views and he might seek to harm American interests.
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U.S. President Barack Obama gives a statement at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Hawaii, December 29, 2009.REUTERS/Hugh Gentry |