NEW YORK (voa) – A published report says al-Qaida followers are using the Internet in an effort to regroup.
The New York Times newspaper quotes U.S. government officials as saying they have found new Web sites and e-mails that appear to be part of an al-Qaida plan to reorganize after terrorist bases in Afghanistan were destroyed.
The newspaper says some of the communications can be traced back to Pakistan’s Baluchistan province near its border with Afghanistan. The report also quotes U.S. officials as saying Baluchistan and the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir could be serving as new sanctuaries for al-Qaida members.
The article says it is not clear whether the communications signal leadership trying to control various al-Qaida elements or simply members trying to speak to one another.
In separate comments Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft is quoted as saying the risk of a future al-Qaida attack on U.S. soil remains what he calls a “serious threat.” He says he believes the attacks of September 11th were part of a sustained terrorist campaign against the United States.
Meanwhile, in testimony to U.S. lawmakers Wednesday, FBI director Robert Mueller is quoted as saying he believes al-Qaida is plotting more attacks.
