June 4, 2004
From Terry Frieden
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI has received "credible" reports that suggest some of the seven terror suspects highlighted by the bureau last week have been seen overseas, a key official said Thursday.

John Pistole, FBI assistant director for counterterrorism and counterintelligence, made the announcement to reporters after testifying on Capitol Hill.

He described the reports as "recent credible sightings of some of these seven individuals."

The sightings were all overseas, he said, but would not elaborate.

"We hope they pan out," Pistole said.

Attorney General John Ashcroft described the seven individuals as being associated with al Qaeda.

"They all are sought in connection with the possible terrorist threats in the United States; they all pose a clear and present danger to America," Ashcroft said May 26.

At that news conference, Ashcroft said intelligence from multiple sources indicates that al Qaeda intends to attack the United States in the coming months.

He cited a number of upcoming events that could be potential targets, including the Group of Eight economic summit on Sea Island, Georgia, and the Democratic and Republican national conventions in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York, respectively.

Photographs of the seven sought in connection with terrorism investigations were presented. The names and photos of six of them had been shown previously.

Among those named were two people whom U.S. authorities said have lived in the United States.

Adam Gadahn was described as a U.S. citizen from California who converted to Islam and served as a translator for al Qaeda. Adnan el Shukrijumah, whose family lives in South Florida, was described by the FBI as a "trained operative who poses an operational threat to the United States" and whose family lives in South Florida.

Both of their families have denied any knowledge of the men being involved in terrorism.

The five others named: Abederraouf Jdey; Aafia Siddiqui, the one woman of the seven; Amer El-Maati; Fazul Abdullah Mohammed; and Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani.

Ashcroft aalso warned last week that terrorists may not have a typical look and that "the face of al Qaeda may be changing."

"Our intelligence confirms al Qaeda is seeking recruits who can portray themselves as Europeans," he said.

Separately, government officials repeated that "upwards of 5,000 interviews" are expected to be conducted as part of the FBI's effort to thwart terrorism this summer.

Ashcroft described the interviews last week as similar to ones conducted prior to the Iraq war. They are meant to help gather intelligence about potential threats in the coming months, he said.

It was noted at the time of the announcement that the seven suspects may be in the United States but were more likely living overseas.

FBI Director Robert Mueller said: "We need the public, both in the United States and -- I'll emphasize -- overseas to be on the lookout for these seven individuals."

CNN Justice correspondent Kelli Arena contributed to this report.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/06/03/terror.threat/index.html