Al-Qaida plotting another major hit

WASHINGTON -- A top counterterrorism official says al-Qaida operatives dropped plans this year for several small attacks in the United States to focus on plotting a "more spectacular" assault comparable to the Sept. 11 attacks.

The U.S. counterterrorism official, who has access to all intelligence on the terrorist group, told USA TODAY this week that officials have no specific evidence to indicate how or when al-Qaida might try to launch a massive strike on U.S. soil.

But, the official said, interviews with al-Qaida detainees, intercepts of communications from suspected operatives and other sources have yielded evidence that Osama bin Laden's network still has a command structure and a determination to launch an attack that might rival the suicide hijackings.

About 3,000 people were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"It's clear that al-Qaida wants to strike here" and that it continues to seek opportunities for "a catastrophic attack," said the official, who asked not to be identified.

Recent intelligence reports indicate that al-Qaida remains fascinated by the idea of using aircraft as missiles, despite the additional security at U.S. airports since the 9/11 attacks, the official said.

U.S. analysts still say explosives typically used in more limited assaults, including vehicle bombs in suicide attacks, remain al- Qaida's most likely weapon here.

But intelligence reports suggest that some of the network's operatives think that an attack using chemical or biological weapons could be a way to top the 9/11 attacks, the official said.

Such weapons can be difficult to use, but al-Qaida has sought them for years.

It's unclear whether the group has access to chemical or biological weapons. But those weapons represent a more likely concern than nuclear arms, U.S. analysts say.

The latest intelligence on al-Qaida's possible intentions comes at a time of heightened tension about terrorism here and around the world.

A series of deadly bombings of synagogues and British interests in Turkey has led some U.S. analysts to suggest al-Qaida is starting a new wave of attacks.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security told law enforcement agencies last week to be particularly mindful of security around cargo jets and chemical plants. U.S. officials, however, have not said they plan to raise the nation's color-coded threat level. It is at code yellow (meaning there is an "elevated" risk of an attack), the midpoint on a five-level scale.

It isn't clear whether more aggressive efforts by U.S. agents during the past two years -- including their increased authority to do wiretaps and other types of surveillance -- contributed to al- Qaida's apparent shift in strategy here this year.

It also is unclear who is directing al-Qaida's strategy.

Bin Laden is said to be hiding along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. And analysts suspect it is difficult for him to plot strategy while being hunted.

The United States and its allies have captured or killed hundreds of al-Qaida operatives overseas since Sept. 11, 2001, including many in the terror network's highest ranks.

Much of the talk among U.S. analysts regarding al-Qaida's capabilities has focused on the potential for terrorists to attack targets abroad.

But U.S. law enforcement officials say they are learning more about the group's presence here.

The officials say there are only a few people in the USA who could be classified as suspected al-Qaida operatives capable of carrying out an attack. That raises the possibility that any big strike would have to be conducted by terrorists entering the country.

The counterterrorism official said the government is conducting more than 1,000 terror-related investigations in the USA. Nearly all of them involve people suspected of raising funds or recruiting for al-Qaida or Middle Eastern terror groups.

Other suspects are classified as "unwitting facilitators" whom operatives are using to obtain fraudulent documents or other materials.

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