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CIA Views "Next Wave" of Terrorism

(New York Times) George Tenet, director of central intelligence, told the Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday that the radical anti-American sentiments and destructive expertise used by al-Qaeda have spread to other Sunni Muslim extremists who are behind a "next wave" of terrorism that will endure "for the foreseeable future with or without al-Qaeda in the picture." Despite the killing and capture of many senior leaders in the last year, al-Qaeda enjoys considerable support, has enlisted new recruits, and has created "chilling plots," including possible poison attacks, training pilots for suicide missions, and strong indications that it is singling out the White House, the Capitol, and the American transportation system for possible attacks. The network of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was an example of how bin Laden's message and tactics had infected Sunni Muslim extremists around the world. "These far-flung groups increasingly set the agenda and are redefining the threat we face. They are not all creatures of bin Laden, and so their threat is not tied to his. They have autonomous leadership. They pick their own targets. They plan their own attacks," Tenet said. He said more than 24 terrorist groups are pursuing chemical, biological, and radiological and nuclear weapons.
2004-02-25 00:00:00
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