DATE=6/02/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= F-B-I ATTACKS (S ONLY)

NUMBER=2-290434

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: F-B-I Director Robert Mueller says terrorist attacks have been thwarted in the United States and abroad since September 11th. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Mueller spoke about the terrorist threat during an appearance on American television.

TEXT: The F-B-I Director refused to reveal any details of attacks that were blocked in the United States, except to say terrorist plans were foiled.

////MUELLER ACT///

I believe that there have been threats that we have thwarted with the United States.

///END ACT////

But Mr. Mueller noted that information has already been released regarding blocked terrorist attacks abroad; in Singapore, France and Spain.

///MUELLER ACT TWO///

I will tell you right now that we have prevented a number of terrorist attacks around the globe since September 11th.

///END ACT///

He made the comments on the C-B-S program "Face the Nation" at a time when the F-B-I is coming under sharp criticism for its handling of information prior to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Congressional Intelligence Committees open joint hearings Tuesday into what went wrong with U-S information gathering before the attacks. (signed)

NEB/MEM