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CNN Live Today

FBI Issues Terror Alert for Underwater Attacks

Aired May 24, 2002 - 12:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In Washington, the FBI has issued a terror alert for underwater attacks from possible scuba divers. No specific locations are mentioned, but facilities such as atomic power stations could be targeted. The FBI says it was alerted to the threat from Afghan detainees in U.S. custody. The FBI insists the threats are uncorroborated and unconfirmed.

In the meantime, the FBI is being accused by one of its own of hindering the investigation into the suspected 9/11 conspirator, Zacarias Moussaoui. Our Jeanne Meserve has more on that from Washington.

Hi there, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

A real furor has been created by a letter about a dozen pages long sent by Colleen Rowley, who is the general counsel for the FBI field office in Minneapolis. She sent this to FBI Director Robert Mueller and also to certain members of Congress. Rowley didn't want to talk about its contents to CNN, but congressional sources say she lays out chapter and verse of the FBI's handling of the matter of Zacarias Moussaoui.

Investigators believe that Moussaoui was supposed to be the 20th hijacker on September 11th. Although he has not been directly tied to the attacks, he has been charged with conspiracy. According to these congressional sources, Rowley talks in this communication about the Minneapolis' request to seek a warrant to search Moussaoui's computer. This was a request that was denied.

Congressional sources also say that at one point the FBI office went to the CIA to get more information about Moussaoui's background, and they were reprimanded by headquarters for doing so. The letter, also, according to one senator, gives a devastating critique of FBI senior officials' public statements on the matter. According to the "Time" magazine Web site, Rowley says these officials, quote, "... omitted, downplayed, glossed over and/or mischaracterized her office's work." According to "Time," she also says the FBI has "... fostered a climate of fear, which has chilled aggressive FBI law enforcement actions/decisions."

An hour ago, Senator Bob Graham said his special committee looking into events surrounding 9/11 will examine Rowley's communication.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BOB GRAHAM (D), FLORIDA: I think the letter from the former counsel of the Minneapolis office of the FBI is very serious. It not only is serious in terms of what she has to say about the specific case of Moussaoui and how it was handled, particularly by the FBI in Washington, but it also speaks to what I anticipate will be one of the areas that we will probe in our inquiry, and that is the issue of the culture of intelligence agencies.

Why has it taken so long for the intelligence agencies to make the transition from their Cold War mentality to the much more complex world in which we live today?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: Last night, FBI Director Robert Mueller ordered an internal probe after receiving Rowley's communication. Rowley, who has applied for whistle-blower status, according to congressional sources, says, quote, "I had to do what I believed was right."

Fredricka, back you you.

WHITFIELD: Now, Jeanne, once those hearings begin on the Hill, as early as early as next month, is it likely that Rowley would be called?

MESERVE: No word on that yet. We heard from the senator and Representative Porter Goss that their hearings will begin in early June. Amongst the first to testify will be George Tenet, head of the CIA, and Robert Mueller of the FBI -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And already, Jeanne, there are some changes that are being made at the FBI. Mueller has put that into place over the past couple of months. Is he responding at all directly to these allegations being made by Rowley?

MESERVE: No, he said specifically in his written statement last night that he would have nothing specific to say about the contents of this letter, at least at this point. He has yet to make a public appearance; I am sure he will be asked about it -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much, Jeanne Meserve, out of Washington.

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