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CNN Live At Daybreak

FBI Agent Rowley Says Bureau Needs to Streamlined

Aired June 07, 2002 - 06:06   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: FBI agent Coleen Rowley says the bureau needs to be streamlined in order to better combat terrorism. Rowley is the Minneapolis agent who wrote the memo criticizing the agency for mishandling the investigation of Zacarias Moussaoui. In her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, she was questioned about how to cut out the red tape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLEEN ROWLEY, FBI AGENT: That is the $100 million question, how to reduce bureaucracy, and I really can't pretend -- give me another week. I really can't pretend to understand. I know director Mueller is also very cognizant of his problems. He reiterated today that there are eight levels before you get to him. This is an unyielding situation. If there is a way to somehow reduce the levels, I think that's what this (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Seven to nine levels is really ridiculous, and it's just how do we do this once it gets started.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Now, just before Rowley's testifying, FBI chief Robert Mueller told the same committee Rowley wouldn't be fired because of her whistle blowing.

With more now on the proposed new agency, we turn to CNN's Elaine Quijano in Washington.

Good morning, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Fredricka.

It could become the nation's second biggest department behind only the Department of Defense. Last night, President Bush proposed some major changes that he hopes will help the United States win the domestic war on terror.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO (voice-over): In a primetime address to the nation, President Bush (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to approve the creation of the new cabinet-level department of Homeland Security.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The reason to create this department is not to increase the size of government, but to increase its focus and effectiveness.

QUIJANO: The new department will bring together parts of other federal agencies, including the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service. President Bush says the decision to elevate the current Office of Homeland Security to a cabinet-level position was borne out of a sense of urgency.

BUSH: And as we have learned more about the plans and capabilities of the terrorist network, we have concluded that our government must be reorganized to deal more effectively with the new threats of the 21st century.

QUIJANO: As part of the president's proposal, the new department would include a centralized clearinghouse to gather and analyze intelligence information from federal, state and local law enforcement groups. It would be divided into four divisions, border and transportation security, emergency preparedness and response, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear countermeasures, and information analysis and infrastructure protection.

Reaction from Democrats to the proposed department was mostly positive.

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), TERRORISM SUBCMTE.: What it does, the cabinet level (UNINTELLIGIBLE) giving statutory, budgetary and congressional oversight for it is the right way to go. The only question is how big should it really be?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO: Now, the president's proposal must first be approved by Congress. President Bush will like to have the new department in place by January 1.

We are live in Washington. I am Elaine Quijano.

Fredricka, back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much, Elaine.

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