FBI, Everyone Else Trying To Convince Jones Not To Burn Korans

Dr. Terry Jones, leader of the Dove World Outreach Center
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MSNBC and CNN are reporting this afternoon that FBI agents have visited Dove World Outreach Center pastor Terry Jones.

Details were sketchy, but MSNBC reported they were there as part of security measures.

A spokeswoman for the Gainesville Police Department told TPMmuckraker that the department has been working with state and federal agencies on security and has been preparing for Saturday’s “Burn A Koran Day” for more than a month.

Jones told USA Today that he might reconsider if he received a call from the White House, State Department or Pentagon.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morell told reporters this afternoon that the administration is “actively discussing” calling Jones.

Authorities in the U.S. and abroad have signaled they are taking this extremely seriously. Interpol has issued a global alert warning of an increased terror threat if the Koran-burning happens as planned and the State Department has issued a “worldwide travel alert.”

In addition to public statements from President Obama, Gen. David Petraeus, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and others, urging Jones not to burn Korans, others have been speaking with him directly to try to convince him not to go through with it. National religious leaders said earlier this week they were calling Jones to speak with him, and a imam from Orlando also spoke with Jones for half an hour earlier this week.

Police officers have been in the area, the Gainesville PD spokeswoman said. MSNBC reported that the department had set up a 24-hour camera surveillance camera on the property as well.

Late update: TPMmuckraker confirms that the FBI sent “several” agents to the Dove World Outreach Center today. A spokesman would not comment on the nature of their meeting.

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