FBI Director

Robert Mueller

July 15, 2002

n the end, two things have come to symbolize that which we must change. First, what did not happen with the memo [about terrorists in flight training schools] from Phoenix points squarely at our analytical capacity. Our analytical capability is not where it should be, but I believe that [the FBI reorganization] plan addresses this.

Second, the letter from Agent [Coleen] Rowley points squarely at the need for a different approach, especially at headquarters. . . .

Let me take a moment to thank Agent Rowley for her letter. It is critically important that I hear criticisms of the organization, in- cluding criticisms of me, in order to improve the organization. Because our focus is on preventing terrorist attacks, more so than in the past we must be open to new ideas, to criticism . . . and to admitting and learning from our mistakes. I certainly do not have a monopoly on the right answers.

From new priorities, to new resources, to a new structure applying a new approach, I believe we are on the way to changing the FBI. And while we believe these changes to be a dramatic departure from the past, in the end our culture must change with them..

-May 29, 2002
At a press conference announcing the FBI's reorganization.