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Examiner - July 6, 2004 FBI's terror talks: Bureau to expand interviews By Larry Margasak WASHINGTON -- Fearing terrorist attacks this summer and fall, the FBI is using its latest intelligence to expand interviews in U.S. communities to find al-Qaida operatives before they strike. An FBI official said the interviews will be driven by information gathered by the 2004 Threat Task Force, composed of bureau agents and analysts plus experts from the intelligence community and Department of Homeland Security. The official said only a small number of interviews have taken place so far, but they will be conducted on a larger scale in coming weeks. A local activist said the Arab-American community in the Bay Area had been cooperative with the Justice Department in the past and was wary of the stepped-up program of interviews. "When will the suspicion end?" said Helal Omeira, the executive director of the S.F. Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "We've been so open, and three years later everyone is still a suspect. We're just looking for that light at the end of the tunnel." …. Omeira called local FBI agents "very professional" in their interactions with interviewees. However, citing cases of domestic attacks targeted at Muslims, he said the government was running a risk in continuing its program of interviews. "It's a loss of credibility for the Department of Justice to focus on the Muslim community when there are so many other things going on out there." To step up intelligence-gathering, the FBI is bringing agents from around the country to its Washington headquarters on temporary assignments to work on the task force. Among the more immediate concerns are potential attacks at the national party conventions later this month and in late August. …. Closer to home, Omeira regrets the suspicion he believes is inherent in Justice Department policy. "We have continually announced to our community, if you see anything suspicious, report it. This is our home. We want it protected, too." |