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Show Corte Thursday, February 16, 2006 ee vevee COSC Ce re ee eee EEO STOO Oe DAILY' HERALD German commercial airline 31 cities asked to makebidfor 3008 Republican National Convention shoot-down law overturned: napolis; Los Angeles; Kansas Will Lester _Craig Whitlock THE WASHINGTON POST ers to protect potential targets of a terrorist attack. German lawmakersshad approved the law giving the oon Tae to open fire on planes in 2003,after a mentally pilot threatened to crash a small plane into the European Central Bank towerand other landmarksin Frankfurt. The law was challenged by opponents who argued that the constitution forbids the military from endangering the lives of German citizens or exercising domestic police powers. Although European nations bolstered air security measures after the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackingsin the United States, they havestruggled for years to coordinate their laws and policies whenit comes to dealing with a hijacked airliner. In somecountries,like Swe- of Germany’scoalition govern: ment are the constitution would require a two-thirds vote by the Parliament. “We must now examinethe question of how we can estab- 3 iepimiciet must now examine the question of how we can establish the legal principles so that the lish the legal principles so that citizens are protected from the citizens are protected from terrorist actsin the air,” Deterrorist acts in the air.” fense Minister Franz Josef Jung said in response to the verdict. Franz Josef Ju Supporters of the law said Germandefense minister den, it is forbidden to shoot down civilian plane under any circumstances. Others rely on neighboring countries or NATOforces to patrol their skies and respond to potential terrorists. Security officials say the conredicertrules makeit inherently difficult to respond to a hijacking on a continent where airplanes can cross the airspace of multiple countries in a matter of minutes. German lawmakers from the ruling Christian Democrats said they would try to amend the constitution to revive the law,but many other members © } { | they would push to change the constitution before Germany hosts the World Cup soccer championship in June. Lawmakersalso are debating whetherit is legal — or advisable — to have military forces assist with overall security measures for the World Cup. Andreas Hotes,a Berlin se-curity analyst and director of aviation for the RAND Europe think tank, said Germany needed to clarify its policy one way or another. Hesaid he favored giving the governmentthe authority to shoot downa planeif it has beenclearly hijacked as part of a suicide attack, although he acknowledged that giving the order wouldbe inherently difficult. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Morethan two dozencities havebeen invited to submit bids to explain why they would be the best choice for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The 31cities were announced Wednesdayby the Republican National Committee, which also has asked to hear from cities not onthe list but interested in playing host to the convention. The committee's site selection committee will hold individual meetings in Washington with representatives ofall interested cities to discuss the ity capable of seating atleast BON. phia; land, Ore.; Sacramento, Calif.; city and its host commit: iesaroitbeapee and abyto * San ‘Antonio; San Diego; San provide and payfor security Francisco; Seattle; St. Mo.; and Tampa. for the convention. » City must be able to make The RNC'ssite selection available to the RNC’s planning committee will decideon list committee 20,000 hotel rooms offinalist cities by mid-sumand 2,000 one- and two-bedmerof this year andwill visit room suites. those cities in the late summer. Cities that received requests Final selection for the host city for convention proposals are: : epedel nolater than Feb. be2004 Republican convention was held in New York ver; Detroit; Houston; India- City. Feingold launcheseffort to block the Patriot Act THEASSOCIATED PRESS Ina case oflegislative deja vu, Sen. Russell Feingold launched anotherlonely filibuster against the USA Patriot Act, but sponsorspredicted enough support to overcome the objection and extendparts of the law set to expire March 10. Feingold said protracted talks with the White House overthe law’sprotections for civil liberties produced only a “fig leaf” to cover weaknesses thatleave people vulnerable to governmentintrusion. Judiciary Committee Chairman ArlenSpecter, R-Pa., said he had the 60 votes required to overcome Feingold’sfilibuster. 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