Police arrest second witness

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Authorities arrested a second man in connection with the twin terrorist attacks as the Bush administration said Sunday it will ask Congress for enhanced wiretap authority and other powers aimed at stopping terrorism.

Stressing the need for swift action, Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller were talking to congressional leaders by phone and in person at FBI headquarters.

"We need … to elevate the penalties for those who would harbor or assist terrorists to at least the same level as the penalties for those who would harbor, assist those who have been involved in espionage," Ashcroft said in a televised address from Camp David, Md. People who harbor terrorists now face five-year prison terms.

People linked to terrorism may be present in the United States, and quick congressional action is needed because of the potential threats, said Justice Department spokeswoman Mindy Tucker.

Law enforcement officials issued a warrant and took a man into custody in New York as a possible material witness, the Justice Department said, following the arrest of a man at Kennedy airport who had a fake pilot’s license. The first man also was picked up as a material witness.

Separately, a man detained at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport after the attacks was handed over to the FBI at the U.S. border.

The unidentified man, held by Immigration Canada officials since Tuesday, chose to be transferred to the United States, and the FBI took him into custody, said Greg Peters, spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. An RCMP officer said Friday the man was being investigated for a possible connection to the attacks.

Another 25 people are still being detained for possible immigration violations, including some who are cooperating, law enforcement officials say.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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