-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Panelists Say Combating Terrorist Threats Must Not Erode Freedoms By Derrill Holly, Associated Press Writer Published: Sep 24, 2001 ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - A national strategy to combat terrorism should not compromise the Bill of Rights, members of a presidentially appointed counterterrorism panel said Monday. "Americans must never be asked to give up a single solitary right that they have under the Constitution," said Gov. Jim Gilmore, R-Va. Gilmore has chaired the advisory panel, charged with assessing the nation's ability to respond to terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction, since its creation in April 1999. He said the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have accelerated efforts to produce the panel's third and final report. Although the document is not due until December, it will be released to members of Congress early next month as members consider a raft of counterterrorism proposals. "We're not trying to set up some super intelligence agency," said Gilmore. He and other panel members see the role of the new Office of Homeland Security as a planning and coordination agency. Its primary duties would include budgetary oversight, with little emphasis on investigation, interdiction and apprehension of suspected terrorists. Gilmore said state and local officials should work with federal law enforcement agencies to respond to any threats. "If that's overwhelmed you, bring in the guard or the military as a last resort," he said. The meeting was held at the RAND Corporation Headquarters just blocks away from the soot-stained western wall of the Pentagon, where terrorists flew an American Airlines jet into the building. The 17-member panel was also directly touched by the attacks on the World Trade Center. Member Raymond Downey, the New York City Fire Department's commander of special operations, died when he was struck by falling debris as the Twin Towers collapsed. Those on the panel contend the events have not altered the recommendations they will make to the White House. "Some of the things we've been saying now for two years are still very relevant," said Michael A. Wermuth, a senior policy analyst at RAND. The creation of a National Office for Combating Terrorism was included in the panel's second report, released last December. "There's going to be reaction in this country, and we want to ensure that it's well timed and appropriately focused," said panel member George Foresman, Deputy State Coordinator for the Virginia State Department of Emergency Management. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: Hush 2.0 wl8EARECAB8FAjuwxbEYHGF1dG8zMDEwOTRAaHVzaG1haWwuY29tAAoJEKadvsVlUK4P IQ8AoJfdkSqXseXGQqK8z9eifo+LhWDZAKCS7awluh8naCM2OiszwCgWSEpU2Q== =ijUb -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----