The real question seems to be one of timing. Until now, administration officials have repeatedly brushed aside such questions, saying their only priority was milking such Al Qaeda suspects as Mohammed and bin al-Shibh for all the intelligence they are worth. But at some point, the interrogations reach a point of diminishing returns. Although Mueller gave no hint about when tribunal trials of the September 11 plotters might occur, his comments may inevitably raise speculation that such a time may be getting closer-maybe even in time for this fall's third anniversary of the attacks. That would surely not be an unwelcome development for White House politicos always on the lookout for ways to highlight the Bush administration's successes in the war on terrorism.

Terror Watch, written by Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball appears online weekly

© 2004