CIA Chief Says Al Qaeda Plotting Attack on US

CIA chief says al Qaeda plotting attack on U.S.

By Audrey Hudson
September 8, 2007


Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was seen on videotape yesterday for the first time since his last statement on the eve of the 2004 U.S. elections.

Gen. Michael V. Hayden, director of the CIA, said yesterday that al Qaeda is plotting a massive new attack on the U.S. as Osama bin Laden released a new video that did not contain new threats.

"Our analysts assess with high confidence that al Qaeda's central leadership is planning high-impact plots against the American homeland," Gen. Hayden told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

"Al Qaeda is focusing on targets that would produce mass casualties, dramatic destruction and significant economic aftershocks," Gen. Hayden said just days before the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Bin Laden, who was last seen in a video statement on the eve of the November 2004 U.S. presidential election, criticizes Americans for re-electing President Bush and Democrats for not ending the war in Iraq.

"People of America: the world is following your news in regards to your invasion of Iraq, for people have recently come to know that, after several years of the tragedies of this war, the vast majority of you want it stopped," bin Laden said.

"Thus you elected the Democrat Party for this purpose, but the Democrats haven't made a move worth mentioning. On the contrary, they continue to agree to the spending of tens of billions to continue the killing and war there, which has led to the vast majority of you being afflicted with disappointment."

The transcript runs six pages and the tape up to 30 minutes also touts the virtues of Islam, saying: "I invite you to embrace Islam. There are no taxes in Islam, but rather there is a limited zakaat [alms] totaling 2.5 percent."

A U.S. counterterrorism official said bin Laden's videotape is still being analyzed for clues of impending attacks.

"We take it seriously and we're operating under the assumption it is real, but we're making sure," said the official speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The official said the substance of the tape "speaks for itself."

"It's another example of jihadist bravado that touches on a number of issues in international politics," the official said.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto declined to discuss the specifics of the tape until it has been fully analyzed, but said it serves as "a reminder to everyone that terrorists are out there and they are actively trying to kill Americans and threaten our interests."

The White House also used the tape's release to mention the need for permanent modernization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that will expire in five months.

Prior to the tape's release, Democrats lashed out at President Bush yesterday for failing to capture bin Laden and says the U.S. is now more vulnerable to terrorism.

"He is out there and he is breathing easy, in a safe haven, and helping direct global terrorist attacks," Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, told reporters.

"Not only is Osama bin Laden at large and back in business, but the Department of Homeland Security continues to receive failing grades."

Since the last tape in November 2004, bin Laden has issued several audio messages, the last in July 2006 when he vowed al Qaeda would fight the United States across the world.

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