Last Updated

15 Jan 2003

Source: Voice of America News, March 24, 2002.

Ashcroft: US Still Primary Focus of Anthrax Investigation

VOA News

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft says the focus of the U.S. anthrax investigation remains on domestic suspects, despite reports of a possible link with one of the September 11th hijackers.

Mr. Ashcroft told the Fox News Sunday television news program that the anthrax discovered in top U.S. lawmakers' offices last year was refined. He said the evidence indicates someone with professional laboratory experience sent the anthrax-laced letters to Capitol Hill and to media organizations. The attacks killed five people.

News reports said Saturday that a Florida doctor believes he treated one of the hijackers for the cutaneous (skin) form of anthrax three months before the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Mr. Ashcroft also said there would be a decision by Friday on whether to seek the death penalty for Zacarias Moussaoui, charged with conspiracy in the September 11 attacks. U.S. officials believe Mr. Moussaoui would have been aboard one of the hijacked planes that day if he had not already been in custody on charges of violating U.S. immigration law.

Mr. Ashcroft said the search for potential terrorists in the United States is not based on race or religion. He said investigators look for what he called "high return" characteristics common among suspected terrorists, such as age and country of origin. He said investigators are particularly interested in subjects who come from nations with a large al-Qaida presence.

The attorney general also said investigators are getting a great deal of cooperation from Arab-American communities. He said people often are happy to volunteer information once they learn they have nothing to fear from U.S. authorities.