News briefs

Official says U.S.

had many hints

HOLMDEL, N.J. - The Bush administration's top anti-terrorismprosecutor said the United States had ample evidence that adevastating terrorist attack on U.S. soil was likely long beforeSept. 11.

Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff cited nearly adecade's worth of hints that foreign terrorists were targetingAmericans, though he did not say there was specific information thatcould have prevented the attacks.

"As of Sept. 10th, each of us knew everything we needed to know totell us there was a possibility of what happened on Sept. 11th,"Chertoff said Friday during a commencement speech to Seton Hall LawSchool graduates.

Among the warning signs cited by Chertoff: the bombing of thetrade center in 1993; a mid-1990s plan in which an Islamic radicalwas convicted of plotting to blow up jetliners, New York landmarksand assassinate the pope and fly a small plane into a governmentbuilding; a death sentence pronounced on Americans by Osama bin Ladenin the late 1990s; and the failed millennium bombing plot at LosAngeles International Airport.

"We knew the World Trade Center was a target," said Chertoff, whowas the U.S. attorney for New Jersey when the trade center wasattacked in 1993. "We knew an airplane could be used as a weapon."

He said he was not criticizing the country's preparedness, butwanted to help better prepare for coming security challenges. Andlike other top administration officials, Chertoff said the nationwill never be "100 percent safe."

Former Archbishop Rembert Weakland begged the congregation forforgiveness during a service at the Mater Christi Chapel in suburbanMilwaukee.

Former archbishop

greeted warmly

MILWAUKEE - After acknowledging an "inappropriate relationship"with a 30-year-old theology student and begging for forgiveness,former Archbishop Rembert Weakland received a standing ovation as heknelt before the altar to pray.

The congregation applauded for nearly two minutes for the cleric,who has said he agreed to a secret settlement four years ago with aman who accused Weakland of sexually assaulting him decades ago.

"I think he's a good man," said Mary Ann Herzog, 39, who attendedthe service Friday night. "I feel for him."

Weakland apologized at the service, held a week after his 25-yeartenure ended.

"I apologize to all the faithful of the archdiocese which I loveso much, to all its people and clergy for the scandal that hasoccurred because of my sinfulness," Weakland said during the 20-minute public service at the Mater Christi Chapel in suburbanMilwaukee.

Weakland is the highest-ranking American cleric to acknowledgesettling a sexual assault allegation against him.

"It took guts," the Rev. Michael Fahey, a Marquette Universitytheology professor, said after the service.