Inside the FBI: Counterterrorism
With Larry Mefford
Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003; 1 p.m. ET

Join Larry Mefford of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. ET, as he discusses the FBI's counterterrorism efforts.

As the assistant director, Mefford oversees all FBI activity related to the prevention and investigation of acts of terrorism affecting the U.S. and its citizens worldwide. This includes the collection, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism-related threat data and the interface with the U.S. and foreign intelligence and law enforcement communities.

The transcript follows.

NOTE: Per the FBI's request, please DO NOT use this forum to post crime leads or solicitations to investigate matters. If you have an emergency, please contact the nearest FBI office or, if outside the United States, contact the nearest Legal Attachι office.

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Larry Mefford: Thanks to everyone who is logging on today. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about this important topic. We realize that it is very important that the FBI work closely not only with the U.S. public but also with people around the world to combat terrorism based upon our common interest in public safety.

Woodbridge, Va.: Mr. Mefford

With all the changes within the FBI since September 11, 2001, what do you consider is the biggest challenge within your division and how do you propose keeping the personnel who have been on-board for some time motivated and willing to conduct the daily work without them leaving to other agencies. Also what is the FBI doing to train those coming on board and providing a professional career path for these analysts.

Larry Mefford: One of the aspects of my job that particularly impresses me is the daily dedication of FBI employees and our partners in the law enforcement and intelligence community in the fight against terrorism. It is not unusual to have to ask employees to go home to get some rest after working a 15 hour day. Of course training is a key component of our overall strategy in preventing acts of terrorism. Consequently, we have adapted our existing training curriculum for FBI employees and have created entirely new specialized counterterrorism courses of instruction for new and existing employees, as well as for law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and overseas.

Provo, Utah: How successful have the efforts (all efforts- military ops, political changes, law enforcement, etc.) to curb terrorism been since the 9/11 attacks?

Larry Mefford: While we clearly have many success stories much remains to be accomplished. The FBI now has the prevention of terrorism as its top priority. Working with our international partners we have identified and disrupted a number of terrorist operations throughout the world and in the U.S. and we have established the working relationships necessary to continue this fight.

St Charles, Mo.: What would the FBI do if they thought there were accomplices to the hijackers within the United States, i.e. sleeper cells, and do they think there are?

Larry Mefford: The number one priority of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division is the identification and disruption of possible terrorist "sleeper cells" in the U.S. before they can act. We have mounted an extensive effort since 9/11/01 to determine if terrorists such as the 19 hijackers, or accomplices, are in the U.S. today. We continue to pursue a large number of leads involving this issue and will leave no stone unturned in this effort.

Rye, NY: What is the FBI's role in "chasing the money" of terrorist organizations? Is the FBI doing anything to strengthen their focus in this area?

Larry Mefford: Good question. This is a critical aspect of our overall strategy to combat terrorism. The FBI has created the Terrorism Financing Operations Section to focus on identifying, tracking, and seizing terrorist assets worldwide. This is a multi-agency effort tied closely with the Treasury Department and is designed to diminish the capacity of terrorist groups to carry out their attacks. To date, we have frozen $13 million in terrorist assets.

Truckee, Calif.: What is the proper response that the FBI would desire from Citizens in the United States regarding possible accounts witnessed by them? How would you like us to notify you to activate a proper response from your Agency?

If we should see something that we think is out of the norm in our area what would line of format would you wish us to take?

Local agency? Or FBI directly?

This question is asked due to the fact that most local agencies are not able to respond according to the National (Homeland Defense) level. And most agencies do not see that Infrastructure is the primary targeted focus of our enemies of and in this Nation. They (local agencies) are in fact consumed to their own statistical realms. And in order to activate a much quicker and effective end to our enemies strikes on this nation (regarding infrastructure) this question is directly appointed.

K.H.

Larry Mefford: The FBI has established a variety of ways the public can use to provide information to us. These include the FBI.gov website, in addition to local telephone numbers for all 56 FBI Field Offices and 420 satellite offices around the country. These telephone numbers are normally available in your local phone book. The FBI also maintains over 44 offices overseas in U.S. Embassies, with additional offices planned for later this year.

Washington, D.C.: Information-sharing between intelligence agencies has been an area targeted for improvement in the war on terrorism. Reports have shown that the results on this have been mixed. What has been your experience?

Larry Mefford: The coordination and exchange of terrorist threat information is absolutely essential to an effective strategy to combat terrorism. This is especially important given the nature of the threat that faces us and the dynamics of an open and free society. We believe that the FBI is ideally suited as both a law enforcement and intelligence agency committed to the rule of law to collect, analyze, and share vital intelligence information with both state and local authorities and with the U.S. Intelligence Community. We have created a structure and system to do this which we believe will help protect the American public.

Boston, Mass.: Dear Mr. Mefford:
Why is it that the FBI does not pay close attention to people like myself who have credentials that the FBI would literally love to hear from? I have been practicing law for 18 years, speak Arabic in a couple of dialects, French, Armenian and to a lesser degree other languages. I have a Masters degree in Criminal Justice and I have researched and authored a graduate thesis on Terrorism. I have been sending resumes to the FBI and letters to the Director for the last year and a half with not one single response. What type of individuals are you looking for if not one such as myself and why is it so difficult to even speak to any FBI official such as yourself? I am completely baffled. I hope to receive a response. Thank you.

Larry Mefford: The FBI is seeking qualified applicants who possess specialized skills essential to fulfilling the mission of the FBI. These skills are identified at the FBI.gov website where you can also apply online. We are especially interested in individuals who possess foreign language skills, such as Arabic, Urdu, Pashto, and Kurdish, as well as a military or civilian intelligence background or advanced computer skills. I hope this helps - good luck with your future endeavors.

Larry Mefford: Sorry my time is up today - I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your questions and look forward to doing this again in the near future. We realize that to be successful the FBI needs to work closely with the public and a forum such as this affords us an opportunity to do that.

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