Posted on 01/19/2006 11:52:20 AM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
CAIRO, Egypt -- U.S. counterterror officials said Thursday they have seen no specific or credible intelligence to indicate an upcoming al-Qaida attack on the country, despite a new audio tape claiming preparations for such a mission.
The United States will not let up in the war on terror despite the threats on the tape, purportedly made by Osama bin Laden, said White House press secretary Scott McClellan.
"We do not negotiate with terrorists," McClellan said. "We put them out of business."
While warning against downplaying the taped threat, officials at intelligence and law enforcement agencies said there has been no recent increase in "chatter" that can indicate that such an attack is imminent. The officials discussed the tape on condition of anonymity because intelligence analysis is usually sensitive and because the tape was still being examined.
A Department of Homeland Security official said the agency has no immediate plans to raise the national terror alert, noting that intelligence agencies are still "working to authenticate the tape."
The national threat level is currently at "yellow alert," the middle of five stages, signifying an elevated risk of terror attacks. It has mostly been at yellow since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, but has been raised to the orange "high alert" level seven times since then.
Intelligence officials said authenticating the tape, released by the television network Al-Jazeera Thursday morning, could take between several hours and several days - and perhaps through the weekend.
"If there is any actionable intelligence, we will act on it," McClellan said.
A U.S. counterterror official said analysts had no reason to doubt an assessment by Al-Jazeera that the tape was recorded in the Islamic month that corresponds with December.
President Bush was told about the audiotape shortly after an appearance on the economy in Sterling, Va., McClellan said.
Intelligence authorities were examining why bin Laden - if in fact the voice on the tape is verified as his - would be speaking out after more than a year of letting his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, serve as al-Qaida's public face in statements and other communications.
One official speculated that it might be an attempt to show supporters that bin Laden is still around.
NO "deal", Osama!!! Eat caca!!
I loved the "Stocks Skid" headline, too. I was going to do some research to see what the percentage loss was on that date. Maybe I still will. The sky must have been falling.
I believe I also heard that Bin Laden says something about wanting to take part in the rebuilding of Iraq and Afghanastan. Yea, right! Just what we need, OBL's rebuilding plans for the world's largest terrorist camp in the two countries our men and women have just fought and died for.
Well, this will give those who like to consort with enemies something to do. That is Cindy S, Code pink, and the NCoC.
That's not a good deal. We need to counter. AK stops all attacks everywhere and dismantles terrorist operations. Surrenders weapons. We withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan. (Leaving bases and supplies intact)
Contingent on us drawing in other terrorist groups to the deal with amnesty as olive branch.
Something like that.
Only reason I would consider this is that guerilla wars can last forever, particularly where there is tacit support from established states. Unlikely we could ever kill all the durn terrorists what with all the goobers who are willing to blow themselves up.
Even the British couldn't stop the Jews back in 1948 where the location was small and the folks around the region hated the Jews.
parsy, who read a history of guerilla warfare many years ago.
democRATs everywhere are deeply saddened.
guerilla warfare is one, terrorism is another.
AQ et al have no intention of honoring any agreements of any sort. They aren't interested in peace. They don't care about a Palestinian state. They don't care about anything but killing everyone who stands in the way of the Caliphate. And then, they'll kill each other.
"Everything possible!" How does a politician say @#$k You, TRUST ME. I have confidence that President Bush has a plan in place on how to deal with any terrorists that are now in this country via our sorely protected southern border. Please accept my apology for being so snide but I'm a bit put off on how stupid they (todays politicians) think we are.
Bush: I hear dead people.
That drone attack must have been a big wedgie for Binny.
"We do not negotiate with terrorists," McClellan said. "We put them out of business."
And thats the name of that tune.
LOL!
They aren't interested in peace.
You may be right. But the way I see it, is can we kill them all dead? I don't think so. I don't want to live like Israel where you have 40+ years of conflict.
As far as terrorist=guerillas. . .We called the kamikazis guys fantical suicide nuts back during WWII. I think they were heroes who didn't mind dying for their country. Had I lived then, and fought then, I would have saluted them after I blasted them into pieces.
Whether we like these damn homicide bombers or not, (and as for me I wouldn't blink a second before dispatching them straight to hell) I think we have to look at them as people who are willing to die for their stupid cause.
parsy, who thinks you are sometimes better off talking.
If I remember correctly OBL helped with the rebuilding of Afghanistan after the Russian retreat and look how that turned out. No thanks OBL.
Not when they are targeting civilians, wedding parties, mosques etc... Kamikazes went after military targets. Killing kids and worshippers is not honorable or worthy of a salute.
To steal a line from IMAO:
W2: 3 more years of low taxes and dead terrorists.
Sorry, Osama, we ain't done yet.
"Why is he so stubborn?"
Mebbe `cause George was flying fighter-jets while John was getting lost up-river, and Bill and Al were at the hootnanny?
http://www.peterpaulandmary.com/music/20-13.htm
Surrender, yes. Truce, fuggedaboutit.
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