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FBI Field Agent Letter Sparks Justice Department Investigation

Aired May 24, 2002 - 13:01   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: First up this hour, a blistering 13-page letter from an FBI field agent has sparked a whole new investigation into missed opportunities pre-September 11.

And CNN's Jeanne Meserve joins us now with that story.

Hi there, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

The FBI and its handling of a key investigation getting renewed scrutiny today as a result of this letter, about a dozen pages long. It is from the chief legal adviser of the Minneapolis FBI field office. In her letter to FBI Chief Robert Mueller and key members of Congress, Colleen Rowley, according to congressional sources, complains in very specific terms about the way FBI headquarters handled the investigation of suspected terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui and also about the public statements of senior FBI officials related to that investigation.

Senator Bob Graham, who is one of the chairman of the joint congressional investigation into events surrounding September 11, has read the letter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BOB GRAHAM (D-FL), CO-CHAIRMAN, JOINT INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: I thought it was very compelling beginning with the fact that she would write such a letter. I mean there's -- obviously is a high level of personal risk to her career to write a letter that is as explicit and as condemning of her leadership as was in that letter. But I think she made a great contribution to our understanding of the Moussaoui issue from the inside of a -- of an important FBI field station and to the issue of how the FBI's culture respond.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: Congressional sources say among the items Rowley catalogs, an effort by the FBI in Minnesota to reach out to the CIA for more information about Moussaoui. According to congressional and government sources, the CIA's first name trace came up empty and the agency then turned to other intelligence agencies. The French, these sources say, came up with information, which was passed on to Minneapolis. While it is not normal for an FBI field agent to reach out to the CIA, it does happen. But sources say the Rowley letter indicates those in Minneapolis who initiated the inquiry were reprimanded for circumventing headquarters.

Rowley also gives a critique of FBI officials' public comments on the case. According to "Time" magazine, she writes that these officials -- quote -- "omitted, downplayed, glossed over or mischaracterized" her office's investigation of Moussaoui. She also writes, says "Time," that the FBI has fostered -- quote -- "a climate of fear which has chilled aggressive FBI/law enforcement actions/decisions."

Robert Mueller has asked for a Justice Department investigation in the wake of getting this letter, and congressional sources say Rowley has applied for whistle-blower status.

Fredricka, back to you.

WHITFIELD: And, Jeanne, Rowley's note she said not only speaks to fear among agents and those within the rankings, but it seems like it is also speaking to a lack of respect among colleagues that her notations wouldn't even, you know, send a ripple in the waves among her colleagues, other agents.

MESERVE: Well I have to warn you, Fredricka, that the contents of this letter have been classified. We have not seen them. "Time" magazine did have these excerpts that we just quoted, but I can't quote chapter and verse, I'm sorry to say, of exactly what she does spell out in this letter. We hope to have that later.

Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well all will be listening and watching and waiting with baited breath for that 13-page letter.

Thanks very much, Jeanne, from Washington.

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