CIA general claims al-Qaeda training Western-looking fighters

[Neo]

CIA general claims al-Qaeda training Western-looking fighters ​

AM - Monday, 31 March , 2008

Reporter: Kim Landers

TONY EASTLEY: The head of the CIA claims al-Qaeda is training fighters that have a western appearance who would be more likely to penetrate US borders to mount terrorist attacks.

In a rare public interview, Central Intelligence Agency director Michael Hayden describes the Afghanistan-Pakistan border as a safe haven that presents a "clear and present danger'' to the West.

But he won't comment on media reports that the United States is escalating unilateral strikes against al-Qaeda members operating in Pakistan's tribal areas.

Washington correspondent Kim Landers reports.

KIM LANDERS: It's rare for the head of the CIA, General Michael Hayden, to talk openly to the media.

But just days after the Washington Post reported that the US is stepping up its air strikes against al-Qaeda fighters along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, he's agreed to a long television interview.

And while General Hayden won't confirm if US predator aircraft have been carrying out the attacks over the past two months, he's certain that this is the region where another terrorist attack against the United States is mostly likely to originate from.

MICHAEL HAYDEN: What I can tell you about is the situation along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, which presents a clear and present danger to Afghanistan, to Pakistan and to the West in general and to the United States in particular.

KIM LANDERS: And he says it's there that al-Qaeda is training a new type of fighter.

MICHAEL HAYDEN: They are bringing operatives into that region for training, operatives that wouldn't attract your attention, if they were going through the customs line at Dallas with you when you're coming back from overseas.

They look Western, who will be able to come into this country without attracting the kind of attention that others might.

KIM LANDERS: Concern about the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region isn't isolated to the US.

Australia's recently reappointed Defence Chief, Angus Houston, is calling for more diplomatic pressure to convince Pakistan to crackdown on insurgents flowing into Afghanistan.

In an interview with the Fairfax newspaper group, Air Chief Marshal Houston, says Australia must help engage Pakistan in practical and diplomatic ways to ensure that the Taliban is denied the freedom to move across the border into Afghanistan.

Meanwhile in Washington, the CIA boss admits he was kept in the dark about the Iraqi Government's plan to crackdown on Shi'ite militiamen in the oil rich southern city of Basra.

MICHAEL HAYDEN: It's a very decisive moment, it's a very challenging thing. I guess one would say that success is not guaranteed.

KIM LANDERS: And he's conceded it could take years for the Iraqi forces to be able to function without the help of the Americans.

As for neighbouring Iran, Michael Hayden still believes that country is pursuing a nuclear weapons program, even though a recent intelligence report found that it'd been suspended in 2003.

MICHAEL HAYDEN: Personally, yes. It's hard for me to explain and this is not court of law stuff, this is in terms of beyond all reasonable doubt.

KIM LANDERS: Tehran still insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

This is Kim Landers in Washington for AM.

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2203161.htm

 

[BATMAN]

Yeah, he has to show that he is doing some work other than drinking bear and sunbath.

 

[asaad-ul-islam]

this is not pakistan's problem.

 

[mujahideen]

this is not pakistan's problem.

Welleven if it is not our problem we still get blamed for everything. NATO and its Allies should realize that Pakistan is not responsible their failure.

 

[BATMAN]

Welleven if it is not our problem we still get blamed for everything. NATO and its Allies should realize that Pakistan is not responsible their failure.

First of all Al-Qaeeda is nothing more than a US war vetrans and they are struggling for there pension funds using their skills.

Secondaly, how the hell Al-Qaeda can find western looking idiots ready to work for them and where as African looking people who may be easy to find and can also easily mix with American Africans.

Only, sucess recorded in Afghan war is by Pak military other wise US policy was a big time failure in Afghanistan.
They cannot rule Afgahnistan via minority warlords and drug barons. They must employee democracy theory which they forced in Pakistan.
Infect, Pakistan is sufering more than US due to the in-efficiencies of US army in Afghanistan.
Now they are playing blame game and desperately looking for reasons to cover up their disgrace.

They are forseeing another Vietnam in making.