Paterson: Support growing for new NYC mosque site

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. David Paterson says he believes support is growing for a possible land swap to provide an alternate site for a mosque and Islamic center planned for near ground zero.

He says the developers and his staff began discussing the possibility days ago, but the project’s leader had to suspend the meeting because of travel plans. Paterson says he expects talks to resume.

Paterson said in a radio interview Thursday that the law supports the developers’ rights, but he believes momentum is building for a deal to switch the site. He has offered the possibility of state land as an alternative.

The Democrat notes that some Muslim leaders and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani support moving the project. Giuliani made the comments Thursday on NBC’s “Today” show.