Letters
to the Editor
The New York Times
229 West 43rd. St.
New York, N.Y. 10036
Dear
Editor:
I
want to assure readers that senior FBI officials have
not "grown frustrated with the bureau's performance
in the war on terrorism," as suggested in Thursday's
story. Rather, I and my leadership team are tremendously
proud of the progress of transforming the nation's premier
law enforcement and counterintelligence agency into
a 21st century counterterrorism agency, while maintaining
our other varied responsibilities, which also are critically
important to the well being of this nation.
Never
before in the history of the FBI has such a transformation
been undertaken, particularly in such a short time and
under these conditions. No one here at the FBI expected
such a fundamental shift in priorities to come without
challenges, and yet the more than 27,000 dedicated men
and women that make up this organization have answered
that call. We are a different FBI than we were a year
ago and we continue to move toward where we need to
be. I am confident that we will get there.
I
also accept that such an undertaking -- no matter how
brisk the progress -- will continue to require regular
communication throughout the FBI to address the inevitable
bumps in the road. I will continue, as will my management
team, to remind -- sometimes in strong terms -- our
employees and the public of our mission priorities.
This does not -- and should not -- suggest any kind
of institutional slippage in the pursuit of that mission,
but rather, an expected part of leadership leading such
a transformation.
I
believe the American people expect nothing less.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Mueller, III
Director
