CIA Chief: Al Qaida Is Top Nuclear Concern

WASHINGTON — Iran and North Korea both have the capability to produce nuclear weapons but al-Qaida is the CIA's top nuclear concern because it is most likely to use them, agency director Michael Hayden said Tuesday.

"There is no greater national security threat facing the United States than al-Qaida and its associates," Hayden said, according to a copy of his remarks prepared for the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.

With regard to North Korea, a known nuclear power, and Iran, Hayden said: "The question is not of capability, but intent."

In 2006, North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test, removing any doubt it had the means to make a nuclear warhead.

Iran has not yet demonstrated a nuclear explosion, but Hayden said it has the scientific and industrial capacity to produce nuclear weapons "eventually." It fuels suspicion by refusing to allow international inspectors into its nuclear facilities.

"Tehran at a minimum is keeping open its option to develop nuclear weapons," Hayden said.

A U.S. intelligence assessment issued last year said Iran halted weapons design work in 2003, and that the nuclear weapons program had not resumed as of mid-2007. Hayden said intelligence still supports that conclusion.

Hayden's comments come the same day the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency presented intelligence to 35 nations alleging Iran has plans to redesign a missile to accommodate a nuclear payload.

The Iranian representative to the organization says the information was fabricated. Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. representative to the IAEA, said the evidence shows Iran has a weapons program.

Comments

[ManassasMan]

Please keep in mind, folks, that this is the same CIA that has exaggerated and politicized "estimates" for a generation or more, especially during the current administration. It has a long-standing record of grossly over-estimating Soviet power, etc...which cost us untolled billions of dollars over the years. It seems that nobody wants to remember Eisenhower's admonition to "beware of the military-industrial complex." Now, thanks to the current administration, we even have the military in charge of the CIA !! Are we nuts ?

[Bobleblah1]

Al Who?

Cobra commander is our top concern.
Destro is planning to get nuclear weapons
Zartan was seen meeting with top Iranian nuclear experts.

Fantasy land!

[neveragain]

Since the dawn of mankind there has been threats to our existence, huge volcanoes, asteroids, drought, famine, war...
yadda, yadda, yadda!
I've become so desenitized to this doomsday speak that I don't even pay attention anymore.

[Whinger]

With McCain in the White House, Iran is going to get it right in the neck!

Today's fearmongering is working towards that end by preparing the nation and the world!

Then Israel will strike while Big Brother holds their hand.

The fact they seem dead certain McCain will be elected is both interesting and troubling.

[Softnsweet]

McCain is too old to remember what he did last night. He certainly cannot run a country. You are talking about what he is going to do in Iran, they have money to do whatever they want but we don't. We are spening billions that we don't have over in the middle east. We cannot afford to spend more in another country. Get real! Do some research!

[NJmikeV]

Time to raise the fear level. What color are we on today ?

My fear is that the Cheney Rove Bush cabal is desperate and may try to fabricate some "Gulf of Tonkin" nonsense in the eleventh hour. Remember those "warships " in the Straits of Hormuz
a few months ago? I've seen more dangerous "ships" on Lake George.

I wouldn't put anything past these criminals.

[wsblake]

oh,you mean it wasn't iraq and saddam hussein? ah, so what. no biggie. it only cost us 3 trillion dollars to find that out. after all we can afford to throw that kind of money around for nothing.

[pranabsharma]

al-Qaida is the top threat to human civilization.

Regards,
Pranab
www.goguwahati.com

[JackND]

Funny how this is trotted out after J-Mac's "very bad day".

Enough!

[jubo]

Which CIA chief, the figurehead who retires every once in a while to placate the electorate or the real one behind, the grey eminence...

[1differentdrummer]

Good job, George. Old wanted dead or alive is still a problem seven years after 9/11. Figures.

[abouttime]

Oh!
I'm so sacred!

"There is no greater national security threat facing the United States than al-Qaida and its associates," CIA Chief Hayden said.

What a drag it is to be so fricking frightened. Like "the boy who cried - wolf!" these neocon-artists are fools thinking we are fools.

What about the boogie man , behind the tree. Over there! The man with the red phone who talks to GOD and GOD talks to him. The ecoomy sucks the last juices from our body politic and the prisons cram with screams of injustice and drug users and the enviroment is dirty with blood and oil and garbage and our water is private anymore. The skies cast contrails of toxic puffs -a bare reminder that the mercenaries get paid , while veterens are treated like throw away diapers in the landfill.

Oh, I'm so afraid! What fools they are who pollute the pages papers with propaganda - such bull!

It's dark in America.

[springsm]

oh for gawd's sakes. HAYDEN..another waterboy. Okay..we have what 53 days left...so let us crank up the fear factor loudly. After all McCain wil bomb bomb bomb without reservations. There is no doubt that if bin laden is alive...he is a danger. He hates us more than ever now and so do most of those countries. He is a threat..however, how come this is coming out NOW. Geez..these folks will stop at nothing.

[live radar]

Fish and Lipstick '08!!!

[Gary47]

Hey, there's an election in seven weeks. Al Qaida's going nuclear!

[robeson]

Bush said he doesn't spend much time on bin-Laden. Chief you better talk to the Prez.