Democrats issue criteria for integrating terrorist watch lists

Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee on Friday issued 10 criteria for the Bush administration to follow when it establishes a new center to unify all federal terrorist watch lists expected on Dec. 1.

"We have had a great deal of concern about the failure after more than two years since September 11 to have a unified terrorist watch list," Homeland Security ranking Democrat Jim Turner of Texas told reporters in his office. "We think the failure is inexcusable."

Dismissing suggestions that interagency turf battles or technical issues are plaguing efforts to unify the various databases, Turner said it reflects a lack of priority and emphasis to get it done. "All of that can be overcome by strong leadership by the president," he said.

The report containing the requirements was sent with a letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller on Friday.

The effort is intended to ensure that the administration produces an effective mechanism for communicating across traditional intelligence jurisdictions so that federal, state and local officials can stop threatening individuals. "Agencies of local and state governments have to know who they are looking out for," Turner said.

The administration plans to unify 12 different watch lists in nine different agencies. The Terrorist Screening Center announced in September would be under the FBI, but Turner said that since Sept. 11, 2001, "there's been no clear designation as to whose responsibility it is to get this done."

He added that even if the administration sticks to its deadline of Dec. 1 to create the center, it is "unlikely there will be a terrorist watch center that is meaningful."

"I think this document presents a framework for holding the administration accountable," Turner said. "It is unacceptable if [the center] is only a shell with a nameplate on the door" on Dec. 1.

The requirements are that the watch-list system be comprehensive, accurate, accessible in a timely way to all who need it "on the ground," and tailored so that appropriate information is received by individuals. The watch lists also should be secure and ensure privacy of citizens' data, with clear rules on who gets placed on the watch list and procedures for correcting errors on the list (such as the accidental inclusion of names).

Other requirements include enough flexibility to catch any aliases or different spellings for potential terrorists, and sufficient staffing, facilities, information technology and funding.

Turner indicated that he has not communicated with the committee majority about the development of the requirements but said he expects Republicans to back them. He said he does not expect legislation on the issue to emerge soon.