Homeland Security director can speak about FBI reorganization

The new director of The Ohio State University’s Program for International and Homeland Security says he is not surprised the government plans to realign the Federal Bureau of Investigation to combat the issues of today.

Recently retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Todd Stewart said in light of intelligence failures before Sept. 11 the FBI’s shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one is important in the prevention of terrorism. U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller announced plans this afternoon to reorganize the FBI for terrorism prevention.

According to the FBI’s new plan, more than 500 agents will be transferred from criminal investigations to terrorist prevention, a new terrorism squad will be housed in FBI headquarters to oversee terrorism investigations and a better collaboration will be set between the CIA and the FBI.

Stewart said the steps that the FBI is taking are important for homeland security. Since terrorists don’t respect geographical or organizational boundaries, Stewart said sharing information between various intelligence agencies and at all levels of these organizations is vital to prevent terrorism.