U.S. not close to ending missile threat to aircraft

Bloomfield said he has been trying to convince governments around the world that many of their old Russian- and Chinese-made shoulder-fired missiles, left over from the Cold War arms race, probably aren't functional and could pose the risk of explosion. He also has been offering U.S. aid to make their arsenals more secure and airports safer from attack.

About 10% of the world supply, about 50,000 missiles, is in the hands of governments whose stewardship "is wanting," in some cases simply because they can't afford to properly protect the weapons, Bloomfield said.

Some governments have been responsive to U.S. entreaties, but others "don't want to see us," because of political friction.

Major terrorist groups have not demonstrated a steady determination to attack commercial aircraft with missiles, but Bloomfield said the threat is "a real problem, it's one we do take seriously."

Asked whether U.S. efforts have reduced the availability of such weapons, he said that it is now more difficult than it once would have been for militant groups to procure them.

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paul.richter@latimes.com