Obama Talks Up Counterterrorism Efforts

OBAMA FOR USA

President Obama said on Tuesday that Al Qaeda has “lost operational capacity” after a series of recent missile strikes and special forces raids, but vowed to continue pressing the battle to cripple the network around the world and protect America from future terrorist attacks.



During a visit to the National Counterterrorism Center just outside Washington in McLean, Va., Mr. Obama hailed successes against Al Qaeda and its allies “especially in recent months and days.” He cited in particular the arrest of Najibullah Zazi, an American who authorities said was trained by Al Qaeda in Pakistan in preparation for an attack in the United States.

“Because of you, and all the organizations you represent,” Mr. Obama told employees at the center, “we’re making real progress in our core mission – to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al Qaeda and other extremist networks around the world.”

Citing a counterterrorism expert, Mr. Obama added: “Because of our efforts, Al Qaeda and its allies have not only lost operational capacity, they’ve lost legitimacy and credibility.”
The president’s speech.

But he warned that America’s enemies are still plotting and should not be underestimated. “We will target Al Qaeda wherever they take root,” he said. “We will not yield in our pursuit, and we are developing the capacity and the cooperation to deny a safe haven to any who threaten America and its allies.”

Mr. Obama made no mention of his ongoing review of his strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but recent progress in the counterterrorist campaign, particularly in the border areas of Pakistan, has influenced the debate. Some officials, including Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., have argued against a proposed major troop buildup in Afghanistan in favor of a recalibrated mission focusing more on hunting down Al Qaeda through unmanned drones and special forces.

White House officials said the president’s visit to the National Counterterrorism Center was not related to the Afghanistan review. But the public focus on recent efforts to eliminate Al Qaeda’s top hierarchy through so-called surgical strikes could provide political cover for Mr. Obama should he reject the most expansive request for 40,000 more troops.

Administration officials said the United States has killed or captured 11 of the 20 most wanted figures in the Afghan-Pakistani border area over the last year, as well as another four who were later added to the list. They said Al Qaeda’s capacity has been severely damaged and that some foreign fighters, like Uzbeks, Chechens and Yemenis, have begun going home.

At the same time, the Bush administration also touted successes in eliminating senior Al Qaeda figures, only to find new recruits taking their place. And the Obama administration appears no closer than its predecessor in tracking down Osama bin Laden, his deputy, Ayman al-Zawarhi, or Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Afghan Taliban leader.

In his 10-minute speech, Mr. Obama noted that “no one can ever promise that there won’t be another attack on American soil.” But he added: “I can promise you this: I pledge to do everything in my power as president to keep America safe.”

Mr. Obama later in the day will host about 30 leaders of both parties in Congress to discuss his Afghanistan-Pakistan review. He will meet his national security team on Wednesday and again Friday as part of the effort to chart a new course in response to the dire assessment and troop request submitted by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander in Afghanistan. (NYTimes.com)

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