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| Al-Qaeda, Iran, and North Korea are main threats to US |
| 2006-02-03 |
| National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said Thursday that the al-Qaeda terror network remains the “top concern” of the U.S. intelligence community, followed closely by the nuclear activities of Iran and North Korea. Negroponte told the Senate Intelligence Committee in a relatively rare public session that Iran probably does not yet have nuclear weapons, nor the fissile material needed for producing them. “Nevertheless, the danger that it will acquire a nuclear weapon and the ability to integrate it with the ballistic missiles Iran already possesses is a reason for immediate concern,” he said. Iran already has “the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East,” Negroponte said. Meanwhile, he said that North Korea's assertions that it has nuclear weapons are “probably true.” Reading from a 25-page prepared statement, Negroponte told the panel some 40 terror groups, insurgencies or cults have obtained or want chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. Negroponte spoke as U.S. and European diplomats worked behind the scenes to build support for their decision to report Iran to the U.N. Security Council over concerns that it seeking nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board of governors began a two-day meeting on a European draft resolution calling for Tehran to be referred to the Security Council, which can impose sanctions. It was Negroponte's first public appearance before a congressional committee since his confirmation hearings last April. His job was created by Congress to coordinate the work of the government's 15 intelligence agencies Negroponte said great strides had been made in fighting global terrorism. “We have eliminated much of the leadership that presided over al-Qaeda in 2001,” he said, “and U.S. -led counterterrorism efforts in 2005 continued to disrupt its operations, take out its leaders and deplete its cadre.” But, Negroponte added, the terror organization's core elements still plot and make preparations for terrorist strikes. He suggested that “high impact attacks” would continue, and said al-Qaeda continues to pursue chemical, biological and atomic weapons in hopes of attacking the United States. Negroponte said the United States was “more likely to see attacks from terrorists ... than from states, although terrorist's capabilities would be much more limited.” Meantime, in a separate appearance, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said the United States has made strides in the war on terror, but that the threat may be greater than ever because the available weapons are far more dangerous. “The enemy – while weakened and under pressure – is still capable of global reach, and still possesses the determination to kill more Americans – and to do so with the world's most dangerous weapons,” he said in remarks prepared for the National Press Club. Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, the senior Democrat on the panel, told Negroponte it was unacceptable that the White House refused to share information on its warrantless eavesdropping program with anyone except for the chairman and ranking Democrat on the intelligence committee. “What is unique about this one particular program among all the sensitive programs that justifies keeping this committee in the dark?” he asked. It was a reference to the National Security Agency's much-discussed monitoring program. Approved by President Bush, it has allowed the agency to monitor – without warrants – the communications of people inside the country whose calls or e-mails may be linked to al-Qaeda. Thursday's hearing also represented a major departure for the protocol in which administrations have publicly briefed Congress on intelligence issues. In years past, the heads of the CIA, FBI and Defense Intelligence Agency have offered their own independent analysis on global and domestic threats to the intelligence committee. Providing a stark reminder that Negroponte is now in charge, he decided to change the format Thursday, and delivered one unified assessment for all U.S. spy agencies. “Al-Qaeda remains our top concern,” he told the panel, while Iran and North Korea are “the states of highest concern.” On Iraq, Negroponte said that Iraqi Sunni disaffection with the emerging government is the “primary enabler” of the insurgency there. “Even if a broad inclusive national government emerges, there almost certainly will be a lag time before we see a dampening effect on the insurgency,” he added. It was Negroponte's first public appearance before a congressional committee since his confirmation hearings last April. His job was created by Congress to coordinate the government's 15 intelligence agencies. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #8 Wonder no more HC9827. North Korea's plutonium pile attracts Iran January 29, 2006 THE drab compound that houses the Iranian embassy in Pyongyang is the focus of intense scrutiny by diplomats and intelligence services who believe that North Korea is negotiating to sell the Iranians plutonium from its newly enlarged stockpile — a sale that would hand Tehran a rapid route to the atomic bomb. ... In November western intelligence sources told Der Spiegel, the German news magazine, of a clandestine visit to Pyongyang by an unnamed high-ranking Iranian official who offered North Korea a huge amount of oil and natural gas in exchange for help on nuclear research and missiles. |
| Posted by: ed 2006-02-03 21:35 |
| #7 One wonders how many of NK nukes are on their way to Iran - via Syria with a pause for action. Chances? |
| Posted by: Hupomoger Clans9827 2006-02-03 18:34 |
| #6 The biggest threat to America is the NEA. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-02-03 16:08 |
| #5 NID Negroponte wins the highly esteemed, worldly acclaimed, February 2nd, "No Shit, Sherlock" Award. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2006-02-03 15:55 |
| #4 Stupidity (in particular ideological blinders) are the main threat to USA (and everybody else). |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2006-02-03 11:04 |
| #3 Spot-on, RD. Every word. |
| Posted by: .com 2006-02-03 05:24 |
| #2 John Negroponte: [Has the "right stuff"] Al-Qaeda, Iran, and North Korea are main threats to US Ima peon but taking a wider view I would add China to the USA significant threat list of foreign governments. Foreign countries aside, in general I have plenty of faith in America and Americans, but the biggest threat by far to our American way of life are traitors amongst us, along with unassimilated immigrants who refuse to melt into our culture. |
| Posted by: RD 2006-02-03 05:13 |
| #1 Don't fergit the TAIWAN issue - wid evermore internal protests occurring in China over freedoms, lands and espec right to wealth, China and its CCP may end up resorting to supp a military agenda ags Taiwan, NorKor, and even Iran to divert from its growing domestic instabilities. STAY ARMED AND VIGILANT. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-02-03 01:33 |