Washington: US Attorney General Michael Mukasey said today the United States would have jurisdiction to prosecute the surviving gunman captured during the deadly attack in Mumbai where six Americans died. But he did not say whether there are plans to do so. Mukasey also said he did not believe the US was more vulnerable to a terrorist attack during the presidential transition period, although security will be heavy for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. "Terrorists will strike when they feel the moment is right, not according to the political calendar," he said.
The United States has "all of the surveillance techniques we need to keep us safe," Mukasey added. The attorney general said he has not yet spoken to the nominee named to succeed him, Eric Holder, but the current Justice Department officials are working with Obama s transition team. Mukasey appeared in good health in his first news conference since collapsing during a speech Nov. 20. Mukasey said he still does not know what caused his fainting spell. As he neared the end of his address, "the lights went out," he recalled.
