US concern at al-Qaeda strength

US concern at al-Qaeda strength

Al-Qaeda's operating capabilities are at their strongest since the 9/11 attacks, according to leaks of a US intelligence report.

It suggests the network has rebuilt itself despite a six-year campaign to dismantle it, an official told AP.

The classified report identifies Pakistan's western tribal areas as the group's safe haven, and examines threats posed to the US and its allies.

It was compiled by the National Counterterrorism Center.

The five-page threat assessment document, Al-Qaeda Better Positioned to Strike the West, is to be discussed at the White House on Thursday.

BBC Islamic affairs analyst Roger Hardy says the report chimes with the view of many independent experts that al-Qaeda is indeed resurgent.

'Robust training'

Al-Qaeda is "considerably operationally stronger than a year ago" and has "regrouped to an extent not seen since 2001," the official told the AP agency, paraphrasing the report.

"They are showing greater and greater ability to plan attacks in Europe and the United States."

We see more training; we see more money; we see more communications; we see that activity rising John Kringen Senior CIA official

He said the report suggests al-Qaeda has "the most robust training programme since 2001, with an interest in using European operatives" and that there were "significant gaps in intelligence" so the US may not be aware of planned attacks.

The latest thinking of US intelligence was reflected in the testimony on Wednesday - before the House Armed Services Committee - of three senior officials.

The CIA's deputy director for intelligence, John Kringen, told the hearing that al-Qaeda had created a safe haven in "the ungoverned spaces of Pakistan" - a reference to the rugged, lawless terrain of the Pakistani-Afghan border.

"We see more training. We see more money. We see more communications. We see that activity rising," he said.

Our correspondent says the extent of the "safe haven" is not clear but the current view is that the core leadership, "al-Qaeda Central", is playing an operational rather than just inspirational role.

Sustained criticism

The three US officials made it clear they think the US, as well as Europe, remain prime targets.

But they distanced themselves from remarks by the Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff that the US might be attacked this summer, with one official saying there was no known specific and credible threat.

Our correspondent says that for US President George W Bush, this is not good news - at a time when his Iraq policy is under sustained criticism, it is also hard for him to maintain he is winning on the much bigger front of the global war on terror.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6294526.stm

Published: 2007/07/12 11:39:40 GMT