*EPF408 05/30/2002
Mueller, Ashcroft Announce FBI Reorganization
(Shifts focus from prosecution to the prevention of terrorism) (460)

By Wendy S. Ross
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The number one priority of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since the September 11 terrorist attacks has been to prevent additional terrorist attacks against the United States, FBI Director Robert Mueller said May 29 as he announced major new proposals to reorganize the bureau to accomplish this goal.

Speaking at a news conference at FBI headquarters, Mueller said "the events of September 11th marked a turning point for the FBI."

After 9/11, he said, "it became clearer than ever that we had to fundamentally change the way we do our business," if attacks are to be prevented.

The proposals, some of which are subject to approval by Congress, include the creation of a new anti-terrorism division at FBI headquarters, and the shifting of about 500 FBI agents from drug and white-collar crime investigations to counter-terrorism efforts.

In addition, the FBI wants to hire 900 new agents by September, many of them slated for anti-terrorism work.

The FBI needs "to develop the capability to anticipate attacks," Mueller said. "We have to develop the capability of looking around corners. And that is the change. That is the shift in focus particularly at headquarters."

"We have to do a better job of collaborating with others," said Mueller. "And as critically important, we have to do a better job managing, analyzing and sharing information. In essence, we need a different approach that puts prevention above all else."

To do this, Mueller said the FBI will increase its sharing of information with the Central Intelligence Agency and revamp its computer system.

Mueller, who was sworn in as FBI Director a week before the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, began the reorganization in December, calling then for a massive overhaul of priorities and missions.

At the May 29 news conference, however, Mueller made clear that even with the proposed reorganization of the bureau to concentrate on terrorism, it will not neglect its other tasks.

The second FBI priority, after terrorist attack prevention, he said, is to protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage.

Other FBI priorities outlined by Mueller: protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes; combat public corruption at all levels; protect civil rights; combat transnational and national criminal organizations and enterprises; combat major white-collar crime; combat significant violent crime; support federal, state, local and international partners; and, upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBI's mission.

Attorney General John Ashcroft preceded Mueller at the news conference and praised him for his leadership, his integrity and his "passion for reform."

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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