Posted on 01/27/2005 9:05:51 PM PST by FairOpinion
WASHINGTON - The possibility that al-Qaida or its sympathizers could gain access to a nuclear bomb is the greatest danger facing the United States in the war on terrorism, Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) said Thursday.
U.S. officials "from time to time" uncover evidence terrorists are trying to develop nuclear capability, Ashcroft said without providing any specifics. It is not clear whether they have made any progress, but the United States must take the threat seriously, he said in an interview with The Associated Press.
"If you were to have nuclear proliferation find its way into the hands of terrorists, the entire world might be very seriously disrupted by a few individuals who sought to impose their will, their arcane philosophy, on the rest of mankind," he said.
Ashcroft, 62, is ending four years as the nation's chief law enforcement officer, much of the period devoted to a war on terrorism that began with the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He will leave office when his successor, Alberto Gonzales, is confirmed by the Senate and sworn in, possibly next week.
Since the 2001 attacks, the staunchly conservative Ashcroft has been vilified by political opponents, civil liberties groups and privacy advocates for pushing controversial counterterrorism policies, which critics say undermine freedoms. They include the Patriot Act, which bolstered FBI (news - web sites) surveillance and law enforcement powers in terror cases; increased use of material witness warrants to hold suspects incommunicado for months; and secret proceedings in immigration cases.
Ashcroft made no apology for his actions, saying he has enjoyed full support from President Bush (news - web sites).
"The president understands that this is almost mission impossible, to keep winning every day," he said. "To be always the winner and never be the loser is a very difficult task. The world is not absent terror. But the United States has been absent terror."
His greatest failure, Ashcroft said, was in not fully explaining to the American people early on just how the Patriot Act has helped in that war. Time will prove that the law has not been the threat to the Constitution seen by some, he said.
"Rights have not been infringed. Human dignity has not suffered. It's been enhanced and it has not carried a cost or toll on the civil liberties of America," Ashcroft said.
More than 375 people have been charged in terror-related prosecutions in the United States since the 2001 attacks, with 195 either convicted or entering guilty pleas. Yet Ashcroft said officials continue to receive reports of "individuals who are sympathizers" with al-Qaida or other terror groups coming into the United States after meeting with people overseas with links to terrorism or attending events that include "inappropriate extremist or terrorist instruction."
"We have to remain on guard. America, as open and free as it is, is going to have to pay a price in terms of understanding and being vigilant about potentials that freedom and openness are associated with," he said.
Ashcroft also said the Justice Department (news - web sites) deserved praise for handling some 400 corporate malfeasance cases, helping drive the nation's crime rate to 30-year lows and making strides in civil rights prosecutions all while dealing with the terror threat.
As for his own future, Ashcroft would not reveal detailed plans. But the two-term Missouri governor and one-term senator said flatly, "I don't expect in any way to run for office again."
Ashcroft said he would remain in the Washington area, probably make some speeches and take a private-sector job advising corporations on such things as "integrity in the marketplace." He also might work in academia.
That is why I get outraged, when the Democrats and liberals worry about the terrorists' wellbeing, when we are trying to obtain vital information from them, which may well be the info, which may prevent a devastating attack on us.
Correct. The threat is FAR too serious to worry about terrorist and their so called rights. They have NONE. Torture is legitimate because that is the terrorists way of treating ALL they capture. The muslim terrorists want to nuke our cities and the likes of Kennedy and 95% of the MSM rant on and on about how evil is the Bush and U.S. God forbid if the terrorists ever do explode a WMD here. If they do, then all bets are off -- the major players in the MSM and the evil left must be hunted down and terminated. The Warrior Class will need to come front and center to reclaim this great Republic from the Socialist-Envy-AntiFreedom forces.
Nuclear terrorism is the #1 threat against the United States. I hope that President Bush forcefully makes that point in his next State of the Union address, because it cannot be stressed enough.
Very true.
Sadly enough... it's not a metter of 'if' but 'when'....
Then we will turn the middle east into a parking lot.
Isn't this how all the bible prophecy in revelations goes? (i'm not religious and read the bible, torah, and quaran for educational purposes)
If I recall correctly, the mosque on the temple mount must be bulldozed also... the the new Temple built if you're to follow biblical prophecy of armegeddon.
You guys can correct me at free will. I'm a political science major. :)
We should turn the middle east into a parking lot now.
Yeah. Better sooner than later.
Target #1: Mecca
Target #2: Damascus
Target #3: Riyadh
Target #4: Gaza and the West Bank (depending on the wind)
Target #5: Tribal regiou of Pakistan.
I see the threat of a radiological bomb as being a high probability. Fission devices? It just depends whether you choose to believe the stories. But I continue to have a real bad feeling that a few vials of genetically altered smallpox virus or other bio agent will be the knock-down strike on this country. There would be nowhere to hide.
There's a few Americans in the middle east right now, not to mention millions of innocent people.
I'm glad your homicidal tendencies are apparently limited to use of a Ruger.
Lighten up Francis
The Dome of the Rock will be history....it's only a matter of time.
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=24760
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=30023
Right on Liberty.
you know whats sad....If/when we get hit with a dirty bomb, I honestly cant see our P**** whipped leaders haveing the courage and strength to order the hitting of targets in the Middle East with nukes. Of course, if DC is obliterated then the Military would take over all powers and then and only then could I see the US hitting targets with nukes.
Or maybe they got a clandestine picture of him sitting in the dark, smoky room where he and the other Zionist masters determine the fate of the world. </sarcasm>
(I started warning about this two years ago and wore an extra-heavy flame suit whenever I would bring it up. It's mainstream now. I regret my prediction was right about it.)
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The possibility that al-Qaida or its sympathizers could gain access to a nuclear bomb is the greatest danger facing the United States in the war on terrorism, Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) said Thursday.
Death To all islamofascist terrorists ~ Hang 'em High!
Should our government encounter a "ticking-bomb" situation, one in which a terrorist in custody retains information vital to the prevention of a nuclear attack, I certainly hope they won't consult Ted Kennedy, or worse, violate the terrorist's civil rights.
Remember, a fresh nerve is best.
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