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Al Qaeda Still Main Threat, CIA Chief Says
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

The terrorist network is trying to reconstitute itself. "We must eradicate these organizations by denying them their sources of financing, their sanctuaries and limiting their ability to hijack humanitarian organizations for terrorist purposes," he said. "We must be prepared for a long war and we must not falter."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Even with progress in eradicating al Qaeda, the terrorist organization remains the most immediate and serious threat facing the United States and its allies, intelligence officials said March 19.

CIA Director George Tenet told the Senate Armed Services Committee that al Qaeda and other terrorist groups will continue to plan to attack the United States, its allies and U.S. interests abroad. He also told the senators that there are ties between Iraq and al Qaeda.

Intelligence indicated al Qaeda has considered attacks in the United States on high-profile government or private facilities, famous landmarks and U.S. infrastructure nodes such as airports, bridges, harbors, dams and financial centers, Tenet said. Overseas embassies and military installations are at particular high-risk, especially in East Africa, Israel, Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Tenet said al Qaeda can make use of extensive cells in major European cities and the Middle East. "Al Qaeda can also exploit its presence in such countries as Somalia, Yemen, Indonesia and the Philippines," he said.

He said the Sept. 11 attacks on America suggest that al Qaeda and other terrorist groups will continue to use conventional weapons. But, "one of our highest concerns is their stated readiness to attempt unconventional attacks against us," he observed.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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