- News>
- World
US accuses Iraq of harbouring al-Qaeda terrorists
Washington, Nov 02: A senior US official madefresh allegations yesterday about Iraq and Osama bin Laden`sal-Qaeda network, saying Baghdad let the group operate on itssoil.
Washington, Nov 02: A senior US official made
fresh allegations yesterday about Iraq and Osama bin Laden`s
al-Qaeda network, saying Baghdad let the group operate on its
soil.
"In terms of support for terrorism, we have established that Iraq has permitted al-Qaeda to operate within its territory," said John Bolton, Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security. Bolton did not offer details on the alleged link between Baghdad and the network Washington blames for the September 11, 2001 terror strikes on US targets.
He reiterated however that "as the President said recently, `the regime has long-standing and continuing ties to terrorist organizations. And there are al-Qaeda terrorists inside Iraq.`" US officials have made such allegations repeatedly and faced some criticism for not offering decisive proof to support them.
"The President has made his position on Iraq eminently clear, and in the coming weeks and months we shall see what we shall see," Bolton said.
"We estimate that once Iraq acquires fissile material whether from a foreign source of by securing the materials to build an indigenous fissile material capability -- it could fabricate a nuclear weapon within one year," he stressed.
Bureau Report
"In terms of support for terrorism, we have established that Iraq has permitted al-Qaeda to operate within its territory," said John Bolton, Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security. Bolton did not offer details on the alleged link between Baghdad and the network Washington blames for the September 11, 2001 terror strikes on US targets.
He reiterated however that "as the President said recently, `the regime has long-standing and continuing ties to terrorist organizations. And there are al-Qaeda terrorists inside Iraq.`" US officials have made such allegations repeatedly and faced some criticism for not offering decisive proof to support them.
"The President has made his position on Iraq eminently clear, and in the coming weeks and months we shall see what we shall see," Bolton said.
"We estimate that once Iraq acquires fissile material whether from a foreign source of by securing the materials to build an indigenous fissile material capability -- it could fabricate a nuclear weapon within one year," he stressed.
Bureau Report