Mr. Billy recently returned from Egypt after working with security officials there on terrorism issues.

Syria could be removed from the list if a Middle East peace agreement is concluded, "which would necessarily address terrorism issues," the report states.

On Sept. 11, 2001, only about 6 percent of its agent work force was assigned to terrorism issues.

Holder's unpopular positions on terrorism issues have frustrated Obama's advisers.

Yet Mr. Rumsfeld spent little time on terrorism issues, aides said in interviews.

The following pages provide my positions on terrorism issues as well as background papers.

Some critics in Congress have suggested that a wholly new agency should be created to handle domestic intelligence and terrorism issues.

I think he's trying to tie it in with the terrorism issue.

"I don't think there is any reason for either side to want to get to the next Congress to debate the terrorism issue again," he said.

In the first months of the Bush administration, that trend has accelerated and the terrorism issue will add momentum.