Britain has "disrupted" unless not ...

Britain has "disrupted" unless not necessarily "ended" a terror plat against the West, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Monday.

Speaking to the national convention of the Disabled American Veterans at the Hilton & Towers, Gonzales touted the administration's war onward terror and a new Web site his office has created to educate veterans about their rights.

He refused to say whether any of the 10 American-bound planes from London that were targeted on terrorists were headed to Chicago.

"I'm not going to confirm cities," Gonzales said. "I'm not going to stand here today and . . confirm a fact that may in some way jeopardize an investigation."

He also could not say in what way long the ban on liquids forward flights would last. Unless machines can be programmed to bring to light explosive liquids, it could be permanent, he said.

Reacting to a Sunday novel York Times story that said Britain is able to lease terror plots go longer before pouncing in succession them because of fewer civil rights guarantees there, Gonzales said he disagreed that American officials break up terror combinations too early.

"I'm not indisputable I agree with that," Gonzales said. "I'm not certain there is a difference in strategy. You have to weigh the possibility that the conspiracy will mature, and people will finish hurt, against the possibility that you begin too early and you're not able to prosperously prosecute people engaged in criminal wrongdoing. I'm not going to second-gues the decisions made from our British friends."

Asked if he'd like to have the same power British authorities do to detain populace for 28 days without charging them, Gonzales said, "That may be something we want to apply the mind at."

28 DAYS? NOT LIKELY HERE

extended the bane of civil rights lawyers in Northern Ireland, "internment" without charge is designed to give leave to authorities take suspected terrorists disclosed of circulation even if authorities lack evidence against them. Gonzales said he was not unfailing that would pass the constitutional standard here.

"We have a different legal arrangement and we have a constitution," Gonzales said.

The "civil rights" Gonzales came to report the veterans about included their right to ballot even when serving overseas, and their right to arise back to their same piece of works The administration recently sued American Airlines forward behalf of three pilots denied well stocked [i]or[/i] provided benefits when they returned from military leave, Gonzales said.

Asked if he planned to leave U Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in place in Chicago, Gonzales said, "I think he's doing a fine do job-work I'm not aware of any changes . . in the status of Mr Fitzgerald. As far as I'm disquieted he's doing a good job"

apallasch@suntimes.com

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