US SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY RIDGE SPEAKS TO PRESS IN WASHINGTON, 2003-12-29 (photo)

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge speaks to the press in Washington, December 29, 2003. One week after raising its terror alert level, the U.S. government on Monday ordered foreign airlines to place armed marshals on selected flights to and from the United States in a bid to boost security and thwart attacks. The Department of Homeland Security, which on December 21 raised its terror alert to the second highest level, said it remained concerned about al Qaeda's desire to conduct attacks against commercial airlines within the United States. REUTERS/William Philpott WP/GN