White House Officials to Discuss New Terror Assessment Thursday
12 July 2007
Bush administration officials are set to meet Thursday to discuss a new report that says the al-Qaida terrorist network has rebuilt its capabilities to a level not seen since 2001.
Officials say the report by the National Counterterrorism Center says al-Qaida has established safe haven in Pakistan since a peace deal was reached between the Pakistani government and tribal leaders in Pakistan's northwest.
The report says the deal effectively removed Pakistani government presence from that area and allowed terrorists to infiltrate.
The head of the CIA's analysis directorate, John Kringen, told a congressional committee Wednesday that al-Qaida seems "fairly well settled" in the ungoverned areas of Pakistan. He said there has been more training, an increase in the flow of money and a rise in communications.
U.S. officials say there is no credible, specific intelligence about any imminent terrorist threat against the United States.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told CNN television Thursday that the government is concerned about al-Qaida's influence widening into northern Africa and South Asia. He also said there is concern about so-called "homegrown" terrorists in Europe entering the United States.
Chertoff also warned against complacency, saying Americans should be on heightened alert after recent terrorism episodes in Britain. Late last month, two unexploded car bombs were discovered in London and a flaming vehicle was rammed into an airport terminal in Glasgow, Scotland.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
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