] The Justice Department will likely appeal a court ruling
] that declared unconstitutional a Patriot Act provision
] allowing secret and unchallengeable searches of Internet
] and telephone records

]Ashcroft, in the Netherlands to meet with European Union
]officials, said he would study the decision upon returning to
]Washington, but "it's almost a certainty it will be appealed."

]"We believe the act to be completely consistent with the United
]States Constitution," he told reporters.

]While Marrero called national security of "paramount value" and
]said the government "must be empowered to respond promptly and
]effectively" to threats, he also called personal security equal
]in importance and "especially prized in our system of justice."

Secret Search Ruling Appeal Likely