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Tuesday, July 31, 2001

The 56-year old federal prosecutor told the Senate Judiciary Committee his highest priority would be to "restore the public's confidence in the FBI," which has been plagued by boondoggles.

Lawmakers heaped praise on Mueller.

"It is hard to imagine anyone whose unquestioned experience, good character and reputation would so perfectly match with the requirements of his new position," said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the ranking Republican member of the committee.

Senators warned however, that they expected Mueller to take aggressive steps to revamp the bureau's management structure, culture and technology infrastructure that lawmakers said have contributed to a series of embarrassing blunders.

"The FBI is in desperate need of a director who will make drastic changes to the bureau's management culture," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

Senators also warned that Congress would play a particularly active role in implementing those changes, marking a new era in the relationship between the legislative branch and the bureau.

"Congress sometimes has followed a hands off approach about the FBI," said Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. "Until the bureau's problems are solved, we will need a hands-on approach for a while."

Mueller pledged to foster a culture in the bureau that would encourage bureau officials to immediately admit mistakes, communicate better with Congress and hold managers - particularly high-level bureau officials - accountable for their actions.

"I believe the FBI can, and must, do a better job dealing with mistakes," Mueller said. "If I have the honor of being confirmed by the Senate I will make it my highest priority to restore the public's confidence in the FBI:- to re-earn the faith and trust of the American people."

Mueller appears poised to take the FBI helm at particularly sensitive time.

Attorney General John Ashcroft earlier this month learned that 450 FBI weapons and 184 laptop computers have been lost or stolen over the last decade.

In February, veteran counterintelligence agent Robert Hanssen was charged with spying for Moscow for 15 years and collecting $1.4 million in money and diamonds.

Next, the execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh had to be postponed because the bureau discovered that thousands of documents in his case had not been turned over to the court.

The bureau has also taken hits over handling the Wen Ho Lee case, Richard Jewell and the Olympic bombing and the standoff with the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas.

Bob Dies, assistant director of the FBI's Information Resources Division, told the panel earlier this month that more than 13,000 FBI computers were four to eight years old and that the agency used outdated software and modem connections.

Lawmakers said they would not hesitate to try to help fix the agency. Hatch and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., have drafted legislation that would set up an outside panel of experts to review bureau management and technology to develop recommendations. Grassley also said he and Leahy would soon offer a bill that would boost the power of the Justice Department's inspector general to conduct independent oversight of the bureau.

But for now, the Senate appears ready to confirm Mueller to start that work on his own.

"This is not an antagonistic committee as you have probably gathered," Leahy said to Mueller. "I hate to take all the suspense out of it for the press."

Copyright 2001 by United Press International.

All rights reserved.

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