During a visit to Knoxville on Thursday, the nation’s FBI director says terrorists could be operating here in East Tennessee. FBI Director Robert Mueller III stresses that there is no more of a threat or danger in our area than in the rest of the country. But what about reports of terrorist activity in East Tennessee? He says al Qaeda could very well be here. Mueller says he came to Knoxville to thank the local FBI and law enforcement for their strong work, but he also made the trip to answer local security questions. One of those comes from a report about al Qaeda cells possibly operating in East Tennessee. WVLT VOLUNTEER TV News first uncovered that possibility three weeks ago after we learned that a homeland security official told authorities that terrorists are in the area. "You may have some in the area covered by East Tennessee, but I can tell you and them that we are effective in identifying them, knowing their activities and prosecuting them," Mueller says. He says it not necessarily terrorist camps that the FBI is looking for; instead, agents are tracking those trying to recruit and finance terrorists. He acknowledges that such activities could exist at many well-regarded schools like the University of Tennessee. "As with any area where you have a diverse population, you may have persons who feel ill of the U.S., and what we look for are persons who might be financing or recruiting," Mueller says.
Isn’t UT where Glenn Reynolds teaches at? |