Posted on 06/14/2003 8:21:42 AM PDT by Pharmboy
WASHINGTON, June 13 — The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation wandered into a lion's den of critics today and emerged, for the most part, unscathed.
In a speech before more than 1,400 avowed "card carrying" members of the American Civil Liberties Union, the director, Robert S. Mueller III, declared that the F.B.I. and the A.C.L.U. — though often at odds — shared a common bond of respect for the Constitution and for civil liberties. He even co-opted one of the group's slogans, saying that in the fight against terrorism, the nation must be "both safe and free."
Mr. Mueller fielded tough and often skeptical questions from the audience on everything from the sweeping antiterrorism law known as the USA Patriot Act to racial profiling. But he also defused tensions with a lively wit that contrasted with the somber tone he usually adopted in public.
He quipped that the civil liberties union should be thanking him for the recent surge in its membership, which has risen by 100,000 since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as the group has raised civil liberties concerns about the government's antiterrorism campaign.
"I think you really do owe me," Mr. Mueller said to shouts of laughter.
It was a spirited and unusual meeting of ideological warriors — the first time, in fact, that any F.B.I. director has ever addressed the organization, group officials said.
In court challenges and advertising campaigns, the civil liberties union has accused the F.B.I. and Attorney General John Ashcroft of running roughshod over civil liberties in the name of catching terrorists. The Bush administration, meanwhile, has accused the group of distorting the F.B.I.'s counterterrorism tactics to stir up public opposition.
In that climate, some in the audience before Mr. Mueller's speech predicted angry heckling, and a few of Mr. Mueller's advisers were nervous. "There were people here who were wary of his doing the event," an F.B.I. official said. "But it's something he really wanted to do to keep the dialogue open."
Mr. Ashcroft was also invited to speak at the membership conference but declined, A.C.L.U. officials said.
So it was left to Mr. Mueller to defend the Justice Department, and in an appearance interrupted by several rounds of applause, many listeners said they were impressed. Some even gave him a standing ovation.
Many A.C.L.U. leaders and rank-and-file members said they remained convinced that the F.B.I.'s expanded power threatened the civil liberties of Americans. But they said they were encouraged by what Anthony Romero, the executive director of the group, called Mr. Mueller's "courage" in meeting with them and engaging in a debate.
Turhan Robinson, an A.C.L.U. member from Baltimore, said, "He impressed me both by coming here today in front of what could have been an angry audience and by being so forthright in his answers."
On some issues, Mr. Mueller sought to dispel what he characterized as unfair accusations. He said, for instance, that concerns about the bureau's power to monitor library checkouts under the Patriot Act had been "somewhat overblown" and that agents generally visited a library only "when we have a reason for going in."
"We are going to have to agree to disagree on the Patriot Act," he said.
But he conceded there was room for improvement. In particular, he said a highly critical report this month by the Justice Department's inspector general, which found significant problems in the detentions of more than 700 illegal immigrants as part of the 9/11 investigations, "did a very good job in pointing out areas where we can do better."
He said he expected that the bureau would adopt several of the report's major recommendations. These include clearer criteria for deciding who is a terrorism suspect, more resources to investigate such cases, and better communication, Mr. Mueller said.
Mr. Romero was so encouraged that he closed the event with a playful question for the F.B.I. director: Would he consider joining the A.C.L.U.?
"I've got the last response," Mr. Mueller said, turning to the audience. "Which of you will join the F.B.I.?" There was plenty of laughter, but no firm commitments.
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