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Tenet: Al Qaeda Still Poses Threat to U.S.

Aired February 11, 2003 - 11:03   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The CIA and FBI directors, as we said, are discussing the heightened terror alert this morning, and our Justice correspondent Kelli Arena checks in now from Washington. She's been monitoring this hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Hello, Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Leon.

Well, the hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee started about an hour ago, and I can tell you, a very sobering hour. Now, this is a yearly assessment of the threat to the United States, addressing everything from terrorism to weapons of mass destruction, to even drugs. The obvious hot button issues are Al Qaeda, its capabilities, Iraq and North Korea.

On the issue of Al Qaeda, intelligence officials say the terror organization remains potent. George Tenet, the CIA director, says recent information says the group is planning a major attack against the United States, perhaps using chemical or biological weapons. Here's a bit of what hey had to tell Congressmen a bit earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE TENET, CIA DIRECTOR: The intelligence is not idle chatter on the part of terrorists or their associates. It is the most specific we have seen, and it is consistent with both our knowledge of Al Qaeda's doctrine and our knowledge of plots in this network, and particular its senior leadership has been working for years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: Members of Congress also heard about warnings from FBI director Robert Mueller.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: Our greatest threat is from Al Qaeda cells in the United States that we have not yet been able to identify. Finding and rooting out Al Qaeda members once they have entered the United States, have had time to establish themselves is our most serious intelligence and law enforcement challenge.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: Now, this is the first time the FBI is participating. It's a reflection of the new role that it's playing in trying to prevent terrorist attacks. Mueller says the FBI recognizes the need for that change, has embraced it. He laid out some specific steps that the FBI has taken toward that goal. Congressmen today all hearing from members of the Defense Department and the State Department as well -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, good deal. Thanks, Kelli. We'll let you get back to it. Kelli Arena in our Washington bureau.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired February 11, 2003 - 11:03   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The CIA and FBI directors, as we said, are discussing the heightened terror alert this morning, and our Justice correspondent Kelli Arena checks in now from Washington. She's been monitoring this hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Hello, Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Leon.

Well, the hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee started about an hour ago, and I can tell you, a very sobering hour. Now, this is a yearly assessment of the threat to the United States, addressing everything from terrorism to weapons of mass destruction, to even drugs. The obvious hot button issues are Al Qaeda, its capabilities, Iraq and North Korea.

On the issue of Al Qaeda, intelligence officials say the terror organization remains potent. George Tenet, the CIA director, says recent information says the group is planning a major attack against the United States, perhaps using chemical or biological weapons. Here's a bit of what hey had to tell Congressmen a bit earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE TENET, CIA DIRECTOR: The intelligence is not idle chatter on the part of terrorists or their associates. It is the most specific we have seen, and it is consistent with both our knowledge of Al Qaeda's doctrine and our knowledge of plots in this network, and particular its senior leadership has been working for years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: Members of Congress also heard about warnings from FBI director Robert Mueller.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: Our greatest threat is from Al Qaeda cells in the United States that we have not yet been able to identify. Finding and rooting out Al Qaeda members once they have entered the United States, have had time to establish themselves is our most serious intelligence and law enforcement challenge.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: Now, this is the first time the FBI is participating. It's a reflection of the new role that it's playing in trying to prevent terrorist attacks. Mueller says the FBI recognizes the need for that change, has embraced it. He laid out some specific steps that the FBI has taken toward that goal. Congressmen today all hearing from members of the Defense Department and the State Department as well -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, good deal. Thanks, Kelli. We'll let you get back to it. Kelli Arena in our Washington bureau.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com