Gonzales, ACLU powwow on Patriot Act

WASHINGTON, April 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales met Wednesday with the American Civil Liberties Union officials to try to ease concerns with the Patriot Act.

The act was passed by Congress just weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks to broaden law enforcement power in the war against terror. The ACLU and other critics say it could curtail civil liberties.

After the meeting, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero took a wait-and-see attitude: "It's a positive step to have an attorney general willing to engage the ACLU in a frank discussion of this controversial, problematic legislation. However, the real proof of whether we have a different Justice Department will be in what changes to the Patriot Act they are willing to offer and accept."

Romero said the attorney general "expressed an understanding that the administration's lack of transparency and failure to engage its critics have contributed to growing, bipartisan concerns."

He added, "Most importantly, Mr. Gonzales signaled a willingness to consider changes to portions of the Patriot Act."