U.S. stopped al-Qaida plots against troops

U.S. intelligence agencies and their allies disrupted a number of terrorist threats — including some from al-Qaida against U.S. troops in the Gulf — during the war against Iraq, U.S. officials have told United Press International. “There were a number of disruptions to terrorist efforts around the world over the last month or so,” a U.S. intelligence official told UPI, adding that some of the efforts were by al-Qaida operatives. “Rolled up is probably too precise a phrase,” the official, who requested anonymity, went on, “If you think of it as someone snuffing out a burning fuse, that’s not the case, but people who were planning bad things have ended up getting deported or arrested or detained.” Another government official, who also asked not to be named, confirmed the account, saying, “Al-Qaida plots against U.S. troops in the Gulf were disrupted during the war.” Rep. Porter J. Goss, R-Fla., the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said, “I’m not going to be specific, but yes there have been disruptions. I won’t say what disruptions where and I won’t say when.” Disruption is an intelligence term of art. “It means a plan was interfered with. It didn’t take place,” says Vincent Cannistraro, former counter-terrorism chief for the CIA. “You don’t necessarily (apprehend) everyone involved — you may not get anyone — but the people who were going to do something are not able to do it for one reason or another.” Full Story