SECURITY Airline says name not on no-fly list

A British official complained to Colin Powell about the situation.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Three years after the Sept. 11 attacks, a person the government suspects has links to terrorist organizations -- Yusuf Islam, formerly known as singer Cat Stevens -- was allowed to board a London-to-Washington flight despite being on a no-fly list.
The Homeland Security Department says that's exactly why the government should take over the task of checking airline passengers against watch lists.
"This is a good example of the need for the government to manage the lists, as recommended in the 9/11 commission report," said Homeland Security spokesman Dennis Murphy.
In July, the Sept. 11 commission issued a report that said airlines can only check names against no-fly lists -- people the government believes "pose a direct threat to aviation."
The government maintains a much larger set of watch lists, but those aren't used because of concerns about sharing information with private companies and foreign countries.
Opposite opinions
Still, Islam's name was on the no-fly list that United Airlines employees were supposed to check.
United spokesman Jeff Green said the airline followed procedures in checking Islam's name, and it wasn't on the list.
"The information did not match," Green said.
Islam returned to London early today. "I'm totally shocked," he said upon arrival at the airport. "Half of me wants to smile, and half of me wants to growl. The whole thing is totally ridiculous. Everybody knows who I am. I am no secret figure. Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace."
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw complained Wednesday to U.S. officials about their treatment of Islam, telling Secretary of State Colin Powell "that this action should not have been taken," the Foreign Office confirmed.