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CNN Live Sunday

FBI Calls Pipe Bombs 'Domestic Terrorism'

Aired May 05, 2002 - 22:11   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Whoever's behind these pipe bombs left anti-government propaganda behind. And the FBI is calling the incident "domestic terrorism."

Here now to talk more about the possibility that this may be a homegrown terrorist is Dan Levitas. He is an expert on hate groups. Thanks for being with us.

DAN LEVITAS, HATE GROUP EXPERT: Good evening.

CALLAWAY: You know, we, as you heard, they found another pipe bomb tonight and some more propaganda here. What do you the authorities are thinking right now. Is this a domestic terrorist? And granted, I know we're speculating here, but with the insight that you have in hate groups and these types of event with pipe bombs, what are your thoughts on it?

LEVITAS: Well, it's important to remember that ever since September 11, in fact, while the World Trade Centers were still collapsing, right wing hate groups in this country were cheering on the carnage. And they've also been getting angrier and angrier at what they perceive as a government crackdown on domestic dissent. So it's really quite possible that some individual connected with the right wing hate group is behind it. And then again, you know, there's a lot of speculation. It could just be an isolated individual with, you know, a particular personal gripe that's not political in nature.

CALLAWAY: It would seem a little bit difficult to travel those states, those -- like in Iowa and Illinois, trying to get to those states in one night. Of course, I haven't really looked at how that -- how the layout of that is, but wouldn't that be a little bit difficult for one person to do?

LEVITAS: Well, no, I think that it's possible that one person could clearly be involved or a small group.

CALLAWAY: Right.

LEVITAS: At least that's what the authorities are saying, one or two people. But again, the Midwest region and the rural parts of this country have long been an incubator for violent paramilitary activities. In the 1980s, during the farm crisis, groups like the Passe Comitatus (ph) and the militia movement in the 1990s really got their start in rural areas and rural communities. So that's again another element here.

CALLAWAY: And Dan, it does seem that the pipe bomb seems to be the weapon of choice for domestic terrorists?

LEVITAS: Well, it's easy to put together. It doesn't involve a lot of technological sophistication. The instructions can be gotten on the Internet. And in this particular instance, it's something that, you know, strikes fear in the hearts of lots of people. It could be in any mailbox. And I think that's also the intent of the individual, whoever's doing it, not just to draw attention to their grievances, but to build on the fear that -- and the concern that many Americans have since September 11.

CALLAWAY: And incredibly hard to track down. We still don't know who's behind the anthrax scare that we saw.

LEVITAS: Well, that's true. And right wing groups that have long been active, both in their rhetoric and their actions toward the government have long said that you should pick targets, you know, that represent the federal government and federal services. So attacking post offices or mail boxes, banks, other kinds of services that, you know, fits in line with the thinking of right wing hate groups that are angry at the government.

CALLAWAY: Yes. And I was going to ask you before we leave. You know, what's your gut on this?

LEVITAS: Well, it's really hard to say. You know, I can't really speculate. We're going to have to get some more information. I certainly won't be surprised if some domestic hate group is involved. Authorities need to be looking closely at those organizations, monitoring them heavily. When Oklahoma City happened, the law enforcement community had not been keeping close ties on the militant movement and other right wing groups. And they need to keep close watch on those individuals who've said since September 11, that they favor more violence against American citizens.

CALLAWAY: All right. Thank you. Dan Levitas. Thanks for being with us tonight.

LEVITAS: Thank you.

CALLAWAY: Yes, nice to have you here.

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