Military Commander Believes al Qaeda Terror Cells in U.S.

Military Commander Believes al Qaeda Terror Cells In U.S.

July 24, 2007

A top U.S. military commander said Tuesday he believes there are al-Qaida cells in the United States - or people working to create them - and the military needs to triple its response teams to counter a growing threat of attack.
Air Force Gen. Victor “Gene” Renuart, who heads U.S. Northern Command, said that as the terrorism threat within the nation’s boundaries has increased officials have strengthened intelligence sharing, particularly in an effort to shore up security at ports.
“I believe there are cells in the United States, or at least people who aspire to create cells in the United States,” Renuart said in an interview with The Associated Press. “To assume that there are not those cells is naive and so we have to take that threat seriously.”
As for attacks, he added: “Am I concerned that this will happen this summer? I have to be concerned that it could happen any day.”
Other U.S. officials said last week they did not know of al-Qaida cells in the United States.