Staff Writer

The search for terrorists brought agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation all the way to Troy.

Early last week, federal agents acted on a tip and questioned a local doctor about international students who rented property from him.

"For many years" Dr. Mallone Chandler has rented property to international students attending Troy State University and, last week, he was questioned about one of those who might have lived in Troy.

Chandler confirmed FBI agents did ask about a particular individual, but he had no record of that particular individual living at 518 Park Street.

"They were looking for one of those 11 hijackers that could have lived here," Chandler said.

He said he was questioned, but "we haven’t heard from them since. I don’t guess we were any help" to the FBI.

"All the FBI was doing was trying to check out a lead," Chandler said when asked about the FBI’s visit to Troy.

Just after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the FBI asked the Troy Police Department to check Troy State records to see if any terrorists were connected to Troy. That check turned up nothing.

Since the terrorist attacks almost two months ago, federal authorities have identified

46 terrorist organizations and has forbidden any members or supporters of those groups to enter the country.

Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft promised the government will look a little further into the backgrounds of individuals seeking visitor visas.

The State Department said 15 of the 19 hijackers involved with the Sept. 11 attacks applied for visas in Saudi Arabia. Apparently, their names were compared with lists of suspected terrorists; six were interviewed and all were granted visas.