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Al-Qaeda 'stepping up US efforts' Al-Qaeda 'stepping up US efforts'
(about 1 hour later)
Al-Qaeda is intensifying its efforts to put operatives into the US and the nation is at a heightened risk of attack, a US intelligence report says.Al-Qaeda is intensifying its efforts to put operatives into the US and the nation is at a heightened risk of attack, a US intelligence report says.
The terror group is weaker than it would have been had it not been for US efforts since 2002, President George W Bush's homeland security adviser said.The terror group is weaker than it would have been had it not been for US efforts since 2002, President George W Bush's homeland security adviser said.
But al-Qaeda has found a "safe haven" in Pakistani tribal areas which has allowed it to regroup, the report says.But al-Qaeda has found a "safe haven" in Pakistani tribal areas which has allowed it to regroup, the report says.
Officials say there is no specific terror threat in the US at present.Officials say there is no specific terror threat in the US at present.
The release of the National Intelligence Estimate report follows leaks of a classified assessment last week.The release of the National Intelligence Estimate report follows leaks of a classified assessment last week.
That report said al-Qaeda's operating capabilities were at their strongest level since the 11 September 2001 attacks, despite a six-year campaign to dismantle the network.That report said al-Qaeda's operating capabilities were at their strongest level since the 11 September 2001 attacks, despite a six-year campaign to dismantle the network.
Questioned by reporters, Mr Bush rejected the suggestion that al-Qaeda was back to its pre-9/11 strength, saying that was "simply not the case".
'Harder to strike''Harder to strike'
Tuesday's intelligence report warns that there will be a persistent risk to the US from terrorism over the next three years - and that al-Qaeda remains "the most serious terrorist threat". Tuesday's declassified intelligence report warns that there will be a persistent risk to the US from terrorism over the next three years, concluding that the US is in a "heightened threat environment".
The US says al-Qaeda militants have found a safe haven in Pakistan "Although we have discovered only a handful of individuals in the United States with ties to al-Qaeda's senior leadership since 9/11, we judge that al-Qaeda will intensify its efforts to put operatives here," the report says.
"Although we have discovered only a handful of individuals in the United States with ties to al-Qaeda's senior leadership since 9/11, we judge that al-Qaeda will intensify its efforts to put operatives here," the report said.
"As a result we judge the United States currently is in a heightened threat environment."
Frances Townsend, homeland security adviser to Mr Bush, told reporters that it was not a surprise to officials that al-Qaeda continued to seek to attack the US.Frances Townsend, homeland security adviser to Mr Bush, told reporters that it was not a surprise to officials that al-Qaeda continued to seek to attack the US.
Increased efforts by US and international agencies meant militant groups viewed the US as a "harder target to strike" than at the time of the 9/11 attacks, she said. The group is determined to acquire nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and "would not hesitate to use them if it develops what it deems is sufficient capability", according to the report.
Questioned as to whether the US-led war in Iraq had provided the ideal training ground for terrorists, Ms Townsend said al-Qaeda might try to make use of its contacts in Iraq but that extremists were also gaining experience in other countries such as Pakistan. However, increased efforts by US and international agencies mean militant groups view the US as a "harder target to strike" than at the time of the 9/11 attacks, it said.
The NIE report warns of the risk that international co-operation may wane as the memory of the 9/11 attacks fades and different terror threats appear to emerge in different countries. Analysts see a danger that home-grown terrorists, connected by increasingly radical internet sites, may strike in the US. However, they say this threat is not as great as in Europe.
But, Ms Townsend said, the US was determined to work together with its allies around the world to combat the danger of extremism. Homeland security officials have urged Congress to pass a new surveillance bill that they say will allow them to monitor terror suspects in the face of huge advances in communications technology.
She added that the US was still determined to track down al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Iraq factor
"He will be captured or killed and it is a huge priority for us," Ms Townsend said. Questioned on whether the war in Iraq had provided an ideal training ground for terrorists, Ms Townsend conceded that al-Qaeda might try to make use of its contacts in Iraq.
But she said extremists were also gaining experience in other places, such as Pakistan and North Africa.
The US says it remains determined to capture or kill Bin Laden
The report describes al-Qaeda in Iraq as "the most visible and capable affiliate" of the terror network with an intent to attack the US.
This association with militants in Iraq has helped al-Qaeda to energise the wider Sunni extremist community, raise resources and recruit operatives, the report says.
Intelligence officials say the "safe haven" of Pakistan's tribal areas allows group to protect and regenerate its attack capability by shielding its top leadership and operational commanders.
Ike Skelton, Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said that with hindsight the US had erred when it turned its attention from Afghanistan and the hunt for Bin Laden to the Iraq war.
The NIE report warns of the risk that international co-operation may wane as the memory of the 9/11 attacks fades.
But Ms Townsend said the US was determined to work together with its allies around the world to combat the danger of extremism.
She added that tracking down al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was still a "huge priority" for the US.