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Politics : Impeach George W. Bush -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Karen Lawrence who wrote (13040)	6/4/2002 2:31:03 PM
From: Karen Lawrence	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 93284

FBI canvassing dive shops Names of scuba students cross-checked against terror list By Terry Rodgers UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER June 4, 2002 Acting on a nonspecific threat, the FBI is cross-checking the names of scuba students gathered from dive shops in San Diego and nationwide against the names of suspected terrorists. In the wake of Sept. 11, agents have canvassed every dive shop in the county, said San Diego FBI spokesman John Iannarelli. "Based on information that's been developed that has not yet been corroborated, there is a body of information out there that certain terrorist elements might be seeking to develop an offensive scuba-diving capability," Iannarelli said. Federal investigators focused on the new danger in late May, contacting dive shops for the names of millions of people who took scuba-diving lessons during the past three years. After some shop owners complained about having to compile the lists at the beginning of the busy summer season, the FBI found it could get most of the names from scuba organizations that certify students who have received standard underwater training. The dive stores then were asked only to provide the names of students who didn't finish their courses. The FBI would not discuss the possible terrorism scenarios, but in previous unsubstantiated threats, there was concern divers would attach explosives to ships or bridges. Iannarelli declined to discuss the local interviews, except to say that agents uncovered no plots. Fred West, a former Navy SEAL in San Diego who owns an underwater construction firm, said underwater demolition is extremely complex and requires more than a rudimentary knowledge of scuba diving. "It would be more effective to hire trained mercenaries to do underwater demolition or to cause harm to targets," West said. "I'm not saying it's not possible. But in my opinion more training and sophistication would be necessary to carry out such an operation." The Professional Association of Diving Instructors, which certifies about 65 percent of the nation's divers, gave the FBI a computer file containing the names of more than 2 million certified divers. "This was not done on a whim. We are providing the information solely to assist the FBI in its investigation into possible terrorist activities using scuba," said Jeff Nadler, vice president of the Orange County-based diving association. Nadler said PADI agreed to provide the names to the FBI only after it received assurances in writing that the government would not use the databases for any other purposes. The names and addresses of certified divers are private information used by PADI as a customer base for the network of dive stores that belong to the association, he said. Nadler said PADI decided to supply the data after receiving complaints from dive stores that FBI agents wanted them to provide the lists on the busy weekend before Memorial Day. While the FBI's spokesman in San Diego insisted that compliance from business owners here was strictly voluntary, Nadler said at least one dive shop owner who refused to cooperate elsewhere was promptly served with a subpoena ordering him to turn over the information. Nadler said his group was torn between wanting to do everything possible to prevent terrorism and protecting the privacy of those who gave personal information as part of their diver training. "The fact is that these records would have otherwise been subpoenaed," he said. "We took the dilemma out of the hands of the individual retailer." Two other organizations that certify a large number of the nation's scuba divers, the National Association of UnderWater Instructors in Tampa, Fla., and the Scuba School International in Colorado, also agreed to cooperate, Nadler said. Neither group could be reached for comment. "We're compiling the lists at this very moment," said Brent Regnart, manager of the Diving Locker in Pacific Beach, referring to the names of students who signed up but did not complete their scuba courses. "It's just pure names – no addresses or phone numbers. "As far as I'm concerned, it's not a big enough of a hassle to refuse," said Regnart. "We obviously don't want a bridge taken out by a guy who received a diving certificate from us." Last night, none of the six students meeting for their first class of diving instruction at Get Wet Scuba in San Diego objected to the prospect of having their names turned over to FBI investigators. "I think it's OK, as long as it's just for that," said Dean Chan, 45, a building contractor. "I have no problems with helping the FBI," said Alisha Fall, manager of Get Wet Scuba. "If there's a need to do this to support our country and keep terrorism under control, I will gladly comply."