U.S. analysis: Al Qaeda strongest since 9/11
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/11/al.qaeda.report/index.html
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Al Qaeda is the strongest it has been
since the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
a new U.S. government analysis concludes, according to a
senior government official who has seen it.
Despite a campaign of military action and counterterrorism operations,
al Qaeda has regained its strength and found safe haven in the
tribal areas of Pakistan, the report says, according to
counterterrorism officials familiar with the report.
The five-page intelligence analysis remains classified and
was prepared for senior U.S. policymakers. It was not issued
in response to a specific threat.
"We actually see the al Qaeda central being resurgent in their
role in planning operations," John Kringen, head of the
CIA's intelligence directorate, testified at the hearing
Wednesday. "They seem to be fairly well settled into the
safe haven in the ungoverned spaces of Pakistan there.
We see more training. We see more money. We see more communications."
Thomas Fingar, deputy director of national intelligence,
told lawmakers that al Qaeda leaders hiding in Pakistan
are able to maintain relationships "with affiliates
throughout the Middle East, North and East Africa and Europe."
In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said
it was no surprise al Qaeda has been able to reorganize
and rebuild "given President Bush's stubborn dedication
to keeping our overextended military mired in an Iraqi civil war."
"It is a travesty that Osama bin Laden remains at large
nearly six years after the 9/11 attacks and appears to
have found new sanctuary to operate freely in the
Afghanistan-Pakistan border regions," Reid said.
"The Bush administration and most congressional Republicans
would rather stubbornly stick with a flawed strategy and
fight a war that senior military leaders say cannot be won militarily,
than adapt to fighting the enemy who attacked us six years ago."
.
|
