Al Qaeda Still Active in U.S., Counterterrorism Official Says

Continuing to track Al Qaeda’s operations in the United States, the F.B.I. believes that a small number of sympathizers are providing financial and logistical support to terrorists overseas and could themselves participate in future attacks, the bureau’s chief terrorism official said today. As the two-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approaches, “Al Qaeda remains our No. 1 concern,” Larry Mefford, who oversees counterterrorism for the F.B.I., told reporters at a news briefing. Mr. Mefford, offering new insight into Al Qaeda’s operations in the United States, said the group’s base of support in this country “is very small, but it certainly exists,” mainly in the form of people providing logistical support, financing and recruiting for terrorists overseas. “Someone could transform rapidly from providing logistical support to a terrorist organization to actually planning an attack, so it’s of great concern to us,” he said. Although Mr. Mefford declined to discuss details of Al Qaeda’s suspected operations in the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is believed to be monitoring six groups in 40 states to determine their possible ties to overseas terrorists. Full Story