FBI defends interviews to gather intelligence [SEA FBI's Mandigo bends over for terrorists].

OLYMPIA — The FBI says its interviews of Iraqi exiles and immigrants in the United States is part of an intelligence-gathering effort to bolster the search for weapons in Iraq and to gather evidence that could be used in war-crime trials. Sensitive to concerns from the Iraqi community, though, the Seattle FBI office said it is trying to make the interviews more cooperative and less threatening after complaints about unannounced visits from federal agents.

Charles Mandigo, special agent in charge of the Seattle FBI, said he has agreed to give Iraqi community activists a list of some people the FBI wants to interview. Arrangements for interviews would be made through them, he said.

"From a law-enforcement point of view, I have reservations on doing it, but I am willing to look at it as a pilot project," Mandigo said. He said that when interviews are arranged ahead of time, "they are not apt to be as productive."

Mandigo said he sent a message to all Seattle-based FBI agents yesterday reminding them that anyone who requests it can have an attorney present during questioning. He also sent a message to members of Seattle's Iraqi community telling them that the interviews are voluntary.

In addition to the intelligence-gathering interviews, the federal government last week announced it was searching for and would arrest Iraqis thought to be in the country unlawfully.

Mandigo said there have been no arrests for immigration violations in Washington and the list of possible offenders "is being carefully winnowed through."

Some of the people on the list in Washington have been found to be appealing immigration decisions, which means they could not be detained unless the appeal is denied. Others have been found to be from a country other than Iraq.

Mandigo said that, if there are arrests in Washington, the "numbers would be very limited."

Since last week some Iraqis have complained about the unannounced visits by federal agents, in part because they are not sure if the FBI is there to arrest them or ask for their help.

"The problem is when the Iraqi person has an FBI agent at the door they don't know what the purpose is. And that's creating a lot of anxiety," said Cush Bambrah, associate director of the Hate Free Zone Campaign of Washington. The group is working with local Iraqis to protect their rights and give them information about the FBI interviews.

"I think we all agree on making that a top priority. But just as much of a priority is making sure the Iraqi community — which came to this country to set up their homes and live out their dreams — does not have their concerns and needs overlooked in the process."

Mandigo, who appeared at a news conference yesterday in Olympia with Gov. Gary Locke, said FBI agents tell the people they interview that the government aggressively will investigate complaints of harassment or intimidation reported by the Iraqis.

The FBI in the months leading up to the Iraq war began to locate and interview Iraqi exiles and immigrants in the United States.

The list was expanded and the pace of interviews quickened last Thursday, the day after bombing began in Iraq.

The list was compiled by looking at 10 criteria, including where the Iraqis lived in their home country, what their profession was, what their education was and whether they served in the military.

Mandigo is a terrorist supporter in my opinion. Time after time he's more concerned about "hate crimes" that haven't happened than arresting Muslim illegal aliens who've clearly and publicly called for death to America. Mandigo and Seattle's Federal prosecutors are chickens*it cowards who worry more about the 'Arab street' in Seattle than Real Americans. There are two terrorist cells in Seattle that operate with impugnity; the FBI and Hate Free Zone are complicit in my opinion. Chance of bio attack in Seattle - 40% Chance of Mandigo cracking a cell - 0%

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2 posted on 04/09/2003 11:27:50 PM PDT by Support Free Republic (Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)

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