FBI Director Robert Mueller Thursday acknowledged tension between his department and some in the Muslim-American community over recent anti-terrorism tactics but said cooperation remains strong toward the shared goal of preventing attacks.
“I would say we’re on the same page,” Mueller said during a stop at the Buffalo field office, which in 2002 was tipped by a Muslim-American to the activities of the group that became known as the “Lackawanna Six.”
“While there may be some bumps in the road periodically, overall the relationship is exceptionally good,” he said.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has been recently critical of FBI tactics it says only alienate Muslim-Americans, such as sending paid informants, some with criminal pasts, into mosques to try to identify members who might be swayed by fiery rhetoric or financial gain.
“There have been issues with CAIR and we’re hoping to resolve those issues,” Mueller said.
Asked whether he thought a resolution was possible, CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said “it’s inevitable and necessary.”
“It’s damaging right now to have this kind of relationship that doesn’t do anybody any good,” Hooper said. “We’re seeing increasing reluctance of ordinary Muslim-Americans to engage with the FBI.”
Mueller also held out hope that former western New York resident Jaber Elbaneh will eventually stand trial in the United States for allegedly recruiting members of the Lackawanna Six to train with al-Qaida, even though three years have passed since the FBI named him one of its “most wanted” terror suspects.
Elbaneh is believed to be in prison in Yemen after his conviction for plotting attacks on oil installations there. Yemeni officials have said in the past he would not be extradited.
A 2003 indictment unsealed in Buffalo charges Elbaneh with providing material support to a terrorist organization. Six other Yemeni-American men from his hometown of Lackawanna pleaded guilty to the same charge after attending a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan in 2001.
Elbaneh “is on our minds, on our watch list and on our list of terrorists,” Mueller said. “We are working through the State Department and other mechanisms, and are hopeful he will be returned to face justice.”
Mueller talked with reporters after what was characterized as a routine visit to the Buffalo field office.