Transcript: Ashcroft, Mueller Discuss Terrorist Threat

Now, in reissuing these "be on the lookouts for" -- also known as BOLOs in trade -- we want to emphasize the need for vigilance against our terrorist enemies, particularly Al Qaida.

MUELLER: The FBI and the entire intelligence community continues to seek information as to the whereabouts and activities of these seven individuals in connection to possible terrorist threats or attacks in the United States or against American interests overseas.

Now, we in the FBI have established a task force. We are operating around the clock to increase our collection of human intelligence, to identify any gaps in our knowledge and to develop new information sources.

We're working closely with our counterparts and our partners in the intelligence community, with the Department of Homeland Security and with state and local law enforcement in a worldwide effort to gather relevant information.

Last week, I talked with our special agents in charge of every FBI field office, explained the heightened threat and the importance of devoting the time and resources necessary to our increased intelligence collection and our investigative efforts over the next several months.

We also need the support of the American people.

First, we ask for your cooperation as we launch a nationwide series of interviews to gather information and intelligence on these potential threats and on these individuals.

And second, we need the public, both in the United States and -- I'll emphasize -- overseas to be on the lookout for these seven individuals. We want to know whether you've seen them in your communities, or that someone might be hiding them. Have any idea where they might be, we need you to come forward, whether it be here or oversees.

And finally, we ask you to simply be aware of your surroundings. Remain vigilant. Take note of any suspicious activities. And if you do observe anything suspicious, please contact your local police or your local FBI office.

I want to thank you for your continued support, and rest assured that there are thousands of FBI agents, Homeland Security agents, other law enforcement and intelligence officials who will be working day and night over the coming months to ensure America's continued safety.

Thank you.

QUESTION: Gentlemen, for either of you. What is it about these seven? There are clearly other people that are on your seeking information list or on your most wanted terror list.

QUESTION: Is there intelligence that indicates they might be involved in any pending attacks, or is it more analysis of who'd be the most likely?

And is there any information you have that any of them are in the U.S.?

ASHCROFT: Well, we know some of them to be very adept at the variety of things that are necessary for the achievement of an attack in the United States. Some of them very familiar with the United States. Obviously, several of them by having lived here, been educated here, speak English well, understand the country well. Those are very important things.

Other of the individuals would have other core competencies, so to speak, that they would bring to an operation.

QUESTION: You mentioned that two of them hold Canadian passports. Is there any reason to think that, like the Ressam cell, that this effort is being originated in Canada?

ASHCROFT: We do not have specific information about the origin of a specific terrorist plan. We do believe that Al Qaida plans to attack the United States, and that is a result of intelligence that is corroborated on a variety of levels. But we are not aware of details of a plan.

QUESTION: You've been looking for these folks for some time. What makes you think that re-issuing these alerts will make a difference; and why the timing, today, in particular?

ASHCROFT: Well, we believe that the public, like all of us, needs a reminder.

Secondly, we have gone out, as the director indicated, to every FBI office. And we're going to law enforcement authorities across America at every level of law enforcement to ask them to renew their efforts.

As I indicated in my remarks, it is to re-invigorate and revitalize our contact with all our sources of information, to query those sources to generate additional intelligence that would provide us the kind of information upon which we could take further action to defend.

QUESTION: I notice that Secretary Ridge is not up there with you. I'm wondering if (inaudible) are all on the same page, but there's some sort of disagreement about how to interpret this recent intelligence?