Al-Qaida may strike by week's end

In a chilling presentation before a Senate panel yesterday, CIA Director George J. Tenet described al-Qaida as a “resourceful, merciless” enemy and warned that the terrorist network may strike by week’s end. Appearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee with FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, Tenet said his agency has gathered the most compelling evidence yet from “multiple sources” that a plot may be in the works. “The intelligence is not idle chatter on the part of terrorists and their associates,” Tenet said. “It is the most specific we have seen, and it is consistent with both our knowledge of al-Qaida doctrine and our knowledge of plots this network – particularly its senior leadership – has been working on for years.” Tenet’s comments were the most detailed on the subject since President Bush raised the threat warning last week from “elevated risk” to “high alert,” setting in motion a series of stepped-up security measures nationwide. Full Story