Testimony of Unit Chief, Counterrorism Division, FBI
Before the Select
Committee on Intelligence
United States Senate and the Permanent Select Committee
on Intelligence, House of Representatives
September 24, 2002
"Joint Intelligence Committee Inquiry"
Messrs. Chairmen, members of
the Committees, I am pleased to appear before you today. Messrs.
Chairman, I have been a Special Agent with the FBI for more
than 15 years. Of these more than 15 years, approximately13
have been dedicated to the FBI's Counterterrorism mission
as a field agent, FBIHQ Supervisor, a Field Division Joint
Terrorism Task Force Supervisor and as a FBIHQ Counterterrorism
Unit Chief . It was in the capacity of Unit Chief that I was
serving on that most tragic day for our nation, September
11, 2001, having returned to FBI Headquarters from the field
about three months previously. It was my unit that handled
the Zacarias Moussaoui matter and through which the "Phoenix
E.C." passed.
There is an ongoing Capital
prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia against Zacarias
Moussaoui, with Defendant's jury schedule to be selected beginning
in December, 2002. Because of this and as an employee of the
Department of Justice, I am bound by Local Rule 57, which
prohibits prejudicial pre-trial publicity to protect the Constitutional
trial rights of Criminal defendants. For example, I am prohibited
from discussing 1) the existence or contents of any statement
given by the Defendant or failure of the Defendant to make
a statement, 2) character and/or reputation of the Defendant,
3)identity, testimony or credibility of any prospective witness
or witnesses and 4) any opinion as to the Defendant's guilt
or innocence or as to the merits of the case or evidence or
anything else that would interfere with a fair trial. Therefore,
I may be unable to answer some of your questions in an Open
Session, but I am prepared to answer all of your questions
in a Closed Session.
Within the course of these hearings,
this Committee has heard of the frustrations of FBI field
agents in their efforts to conduct their duties and responsibilities
on behalf of the American people. Having served as a field
agent and field supervisor, I know of their sense of frustration
posed by rules and regulations, National Security law and
the sense of being held in check by Washington.
As a FBI Headquarters Unit Supervisor
and Unit Chief, I am also aware of FBI Headquarter's role
in supporting and coordinating terrorism investigations, and
the necessity of Washington's oversight to ensure compliance
with existing policies and law. I have also witnessed first
hand, a dedicated group of Counterterrorism professionals
that have been routinely overwhelmed by large case loads and
continual crisis management. They also confront the daily
frustrations posed by limited resources, especially within
our analytical ranks, and inadequate technology which hampers
their ability to communicate within FBI Headquarters, with
our 56 field divisions and 44 Legal Attaches around the world,
as well as with other elements of the Law Enforcement and
Intelligence Community. Since September 11, 2001, our Director
has already made many changes within the FBI to address these
systemic problems. These reforms must continue.
Messrs. Chairmen, throughout
my career I have found all of the FBI's Counterterrorism personnelAgents,
Analysts and other Professional Support to be a highly dedicated,
highly competent group of professionals. They will continue
to serve on the front lines of this war against international
terrorists.
I am prepared to answer your
questions.
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