MIAMI --

"We in the FBI have had a very good working relationship with the Department of Justice and with Al Gonzales," Mueller told reporters after meeting with local law enforcement officials. "My expectation is that relationship will continue in the future with whomever is the successor" to Gonzales.

President Bush said Monday that congressional investigations into Gonzales' role in the firing of federal prosecutors around the country and in the reauthorization of a secret wiretapping program had created a "harmful distraction" to the agency.

Mueller said those difficulties did not extend to the FBI.

"There has been no change in morale based on what has happened at the department," Mueller said.

Bush intends to appoint Solicitor General Paul Clement as acting attorney general when Gonzales departs next month but has not announced a permanent replacement.

While in Miami, Mueller met with 40 senior local and state law enforcement officials to discuss improving ways of sharing intelligence on terrorism and recent crime trends such as health care fraud, increased street gang activity and public corruption cases. Mueller regularly makes similar visits around the country.

"We have terrific relationships here," Mueller said.

Mueller cited a "stellar record" of high-profile investigations in the Miami area, including the recent convictions of Jose Padilla and two co-defendants on terrorism support and murder conspiracy charges and the arrests of seven Miami-area men on charges of plotting to destroy Chicago's Sears Tower. Those seven go to trial Sept. 18.

"There is no doubt that al-Qaida still wants to hit us, hit us in the United States, and for all of us it's a question of remaining vigilant," Mueller said.

On another issue, Mueller declined three times to discuss the case of Venezuelan-American businessman Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson, who is being sought by Argentina in connection with a suitcase he attempted to bring into that country stuffed with $800,000 in cash.

Several recent news accounts in Latin America say Antonini is in the Miami area, but neither the FBI nor local law enforcement officials have confirmed that.

"I must tell you that I do not and cannot comment on ongoing investigations," Mueller said.

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