United States Attorney General John Ashcroft told federal and local officials Monday the USA Patriot Act should be expanded, not softened, even as protesters gathered nearby and the Anchorage Assembly and state Legislature have passed resolutions protesting the national anti-terrorism law. Ashcroft charged critics with misconstruing a law that he said broadens the government's ability to nab terrorists. He would like to amplify those powers, he said.

"This is not something novel or new or different," Ashcroft said. "The Patriot Act is simply a way to extend a robust set of tools."

Ashcroft addressed Alaska's Anti-Terrorism Task Force, which includes representatives from 60 federal, state and local agencies. It's one of 93 such task forces around the United States; Ashcroft said he has personally visited about 40 of them.

The attorney general said that in the pursuit of terrorists it's critical that federal and local governments work together. Without the Patriot Act, Ashcroft said, these efforts would be "difficult if not impossible."

The act lowers legal standards for government agents to listen to private telephone calls or search homes. It also grants federal authorities wider access to citizens' personal medical, financial and school records, library records and bookstore purchases.

Congress passed it in the emotional weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But since then, roughly 150 local and state governments have passed resolutions protesting the act. The Alaska Legislature in May nearly unanimously passed a resolution telling local and state law enforcement to refuse to help federal agents pursuing activities approved by the act.

Last week, the Anchorage Assembly adopted a resolution requesting that Anchorage police and other city agencies refuse to help federal agents in ways that violate "the rights and liberties guaranteed equally under the state and federal constitutions."

The Anchorage Police Department isn't sure how to respond to the resolution, said Walt Monegan, acting police chief.

"The idea of sharing information that could save lives or property is very important," Monegan said after Ashcroft's speech. "No one wants to flaunt any action by the city government, but if information is shared and it saves someone, I think that's very important.

"If there is a crime, we're going to be jumping into it." Ashcroft also met with Gov. Frank Murkowski, federal judges and Department of Justice Employees in Alaska.

Reporters and photographers covering his address were ordered not to approach within several feet of the attorney general, and after his remarks, were limited to asking a total of five questions. Ashcroft evaded answering some of them.

One reporter asked his opinion of Anchorage's and Alaska's resolutions protesting the Patriot Act.

"I believe our relationships are very good," said Ashcroft, who praised Alaska officials as having integrity and being cooperative. What of Alaska Congressman Don Young's objections to the act? Should the act be changed?

"I think it seems to most Americans that an adjustment may be appropriate," Ashcroft said. It should expand to give federal officers more authority, he said.

He was also asked if the municipality and state can ignore the law.

Ashcroft said it's clear that public safety officers want to stop terrorists. "Our business is to secure liberty," he added. "We don't invade or undermine it." The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks showed the country needed better communication and interaction between agencies, Ashcroft said. That's what the Patriot Act provides, he said.

"We were always instructed and guided by the principle that we would never work outside the Constitution," Ashcroft said, in explaining the act's creation. Critics say the Patriot Act erodes privacy and personal freedom. Interest groups across the political spectrum have called for changes.

During Ashcroft's appearance at the Hotel Captain Cook, more than 40 protesters stood in light rain outside, holding signs with messages such as "Dear John, You've Killed the American Dream," "We will not watch what we say" and "Supreme Law of the land is the constitution, not Ashcroft."

Amy Christiansen wore blue cloth around her chest and draped across her shoulder, mocking the cloth Ashcroft ordered placed over a half-nude statue at the Department of Justice last year. She said her outfit demonstrated Ashcroft's agenda, including a justice system that limits citizens' civil liberties. "I don't feel safe in my own country," said Christiansen, 41, a veterinary technician. "I'm embarrassed to be an American."

UAA graduate student Sol Neely was openly enthusiastic about the resolutions passed by the Anchorage Assembly and the state Legislature. Alaskans are politically conservative but respect civil rights, he said. "That makes me very proud to be in Anchorage," Neely said.

Assemblyman Allan Tesche, who sponsored last week's Anchorage resolution, said most feedback he has heard on his resolution is positive. Expanding the Patriot Act further would be a mistake, he said.

"Before we further ratchet down on civil liberties, we need to look at (the Patriot Act) and how it has been implemented ," said Tesche, an attorney. "The overwhelming number of people support what we did. So I'm really proud to stand with the Legislature. We have done exactly the right thing."

Toughen Patriot Act, attorney general says

CONTROVERSY: Law gives government broader powers for searches, monitoring phones. http://www.adn.com/front/story/3504054p-3535363c.html

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Attorney General Praises NW Law Enforcers

By Bryan Johnson

From: http://www.komotv.com/stories/26186.htm

July 22, 2003

SEATTLE - U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft says Seattle and Washington State "face every challenge of security that we might understand as a nation." He added: "And it's important that what we do, we do well here."

Ashcroft commented after a Tuesday morning meeting with local law enforcement, U.S. Attorneys, and political leaders who made up the local anti-terrorism task force.

As his motorcade drove into Pier 36, the Coast Guard headquarters, a few dozen protestors outside complained that Ashcroft was sacrificing personal freedoms and constitution rights in the name of national security and the Patriot Act. Ashcroft says part of his job is to ensure their right to protest. But he added: "Our ability to prevent another catastrophic terrorist attack on our soil would be difficult if not impossible without the Patriot Act."

Ashcroft warned that the cost of security is not cheap and must be met by a combination of federal state and local funds. But King County Sheriff Dave Reichert says the federal government must come through with significant help. He expects that will happen, but might take several years.

The Sheriff told KOMO 4 News the money is needed if the local area is to implement security improvements the feds want: "In order to do that, we have to have the personnel and the equipment. In order to have the personnel and the equipment, we need to have the money first."

Another local concern has been suggestions that in times of heightened alerts, there might have to be passenger-by-passenger, car-by-car inspections of ferry passengers.

"Seattle isn't the same as the port of New Orleans and the port of New York," said State Patrol Chief Ronald Serpas. "There are 26 million who ride these ferries. Safety is our number one issue and will always be our number one issue, but there's a balance. How do you become safe without shutting down the entire system?"

Serpas says the ferry concerns did not come up specifically at the meeting with Ashcroft, but there are signs that the federal government is willing to accept a compromise.

Ashcroft agrees there must be a balance, but he said: "The strength of our economy is made even stronger by the fact that we are securing an environment in which growth and opportunity productivity and creativity can flourish."

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