Feb 03, 2010

SOURCE: Multiple

CIA Director : The chances of an attempted attack in the U.S. in the next three to six months "are certain. They are going to try."

America’s top intelligence officials, including C.I.A. Director Leon Panetta, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair and F.B.I. Director Robert Mueller III, told seperate Senate and House commitees that Al Qaeda and its affiliates had made it a high priority to attempt a large-scale attack on American soil within the next three to six months, noting that the terror organization has routinely sought out biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear materials for attacks.

In a hearings before the Senate Intelligence Committee, CIA chief Leon Panetta stated that, "The chances of an attempted attack are certain. They are going to try." He added that added that Osama bin Laden has "deployed individuals to this country who continue to stay in touch with the group."

Senator Dianne Feinstein, (D-CA) and chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, asked Director Blair to assess the possibility of an attempted attack in the U.S. in the next three to six months.

He replied, “The priority is certain, I would say” . He added that "Al Qaeda's intent is to create a large scale operation that will inflict mass casualties, harm the U.S. economy or both."

Blair told the committee that a lone wolf attacker called for the most urgent attention, noting that a single person, acting alone, posed the greatest threat to the nation.

"I think its lone wolf plan which I think we have to pay the highest attention to as this would form the greatest threat to the country," CIA Director Panetta said.