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Powell defends nominee to lead visa bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is strongly defending his new choice to lead the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, which was criticized for granting visas to the September 11 hijackers. In response to a report in The Washington Times newspaper quoting relatives of September 11 victims criticizing nominee Maura Harty, Powell issued a written statement calling Harty "an experienced leader and a firm decision-maker" and urging her speedy confirmation by the Senate. The report quoted members of the group, 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism, who sent letters to senators urging them to reject Harty's nomination. The group is also suing several Saudi officials and banks for allegedly funding terrorist groups.
Harty would replace Mary Ryan, whom Powell asked to resign following intense criticism of lax visa procedures in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Harty, a 20-year career diplomat, held posts in Colombia, Spain and Lithuania, as well as several at State Department headquarters. She also created the Office of Children's Issues, which focused greater attention on international child abduction, and served as Ryan's deputy until April 2001. A report issued last week by the General Accounting Office -- the investigative arm of Congress -- was very critical of the State Department visa system, saying applications by 15 of the 19 hijackers from Saudi Arabia should have been rejected. Many of the Saudi hijackers entered the United States under a program dubbed "visa express," which allowed visa applications to be submitted through travel agents. The GAO report also highlighted disputes between officials at the State and Justice departments over the level of evidence needed to deny a visa on security grounds. A letter sent to Powell by Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, warned the "stalemate is a potentially serious danger for our country because it could make it easier to allow terrorists to enter our borders." In his statement, Powell defended new visa procedures put in place since September 11. "We have worked very hard to improve our system to make sure we weed out those who mean us harm," he said. "I am determined to do this in a way that welcomes the many legitimate visitors to the United States, that welcomes the many relatives of American citizens and that welcomes those who qualify as immigrants and want to follow in the path of our forefathers by becoming productive, stalwart members of our diverse society." Powell promised further improvements, saying "upgrading our system is a high priority for me, something I work on every day." CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott contributed to this report.
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