In the United States, the FBI has collected comprehensive information on the tactics, training and organization of demonstrators against the war in Iraq and has advised local law enforcement officials to report any "suspicious activity" at protests to its counterterrorism squads, the New York Times reported, citing a confidential bureau memo, which seems to mark the first coordinated nationwide effort to gather data on antiwar protests.
The memorandum, which the FBI sent to local law enforcement agencies in October, in advance of antiwar demonstrations in Washington and San Francisco, detailed how protesters have sometimes used "training camps" to rehearse for demonstrations, the Internet to raise funds and gas masks to defend against tear gas.
The memorandum analyzed lawful activities like recruiting demonstrators, as well as illegal activities like using fake documentation to get into a secured site.
According to the Times, in its Sunday edition, the intelligence-gathering effort was aimed at identifying "anarchists" and "extremist elements" plotting violence, not at monitoring the political speech of law-abiding protesters, FBI officials said.
The initiative has gained the support of some local police, who view it as a critical approach to maintain order at large-scale demonstrations.
Some law enforcement officials said they felt the FBI's approach had helped to ensure that nationwide antiwar demonstrations in recent months, remained largely free of violence and disruption.
"We're not concerned with individuals who are exercising their constitutional rights," one FBI official said.
"But it's obvious that there are individuals capable of violence at these events. We know that there are anarchists that are actively involved in trying to sabotage and commit acts of violence at these different events, and we also know that these large gatherings would be a prime target for terrorist groups." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
