Our Pals the Paks

Negroponte: Al-Qaeda Operatives Finding "Safe Haven" In Pakistan

January 12, 2007 6:09 p.m. EST

Shaveta Bansal - All Headline News Staff Writer

Washington D.C. (AHN) - U.S. Intelligence director John Negroponte on Thursday said the al-Qaeda terror network is strengthening and building worldwide connections from its safe haven in Pakistan. While Negroponte acknowledged Pakistan's role in fighting terrorist threats, he said he also believed that Pakistan was serving as a hub for operatives elsewhere.

"Pakistan is our partner in the war on terror and has captured several al-Qaeda leaders. However, it is also a major source of Islamic extremism," Negroponte said in written testimony submitted to the Senate Select Intelligence Committee.

The claims were sharply rejected by Pakistan saying the statement by the top U.S spy was highly "incorrect" and called it a "questionable criticism."

A Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Friday repeated the country's commitment to "breaking the back of al-Qaeda is Pakistan."

The outrage over Negroponte's remarks came as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was in Islamabad meeting Pakistani leaders about the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

Negroponte made the claims about Pakistan as part of his annual assessment of worldwide threats against the U.S. and its interests. The British-born diplomat took charge of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies in April 2005, but is shortly due to move to the state department where he will become Condoleezza Rice's deputy.

President George W. Bush last week named retired Navy Vice Admiral Michael McConnell as the new U.S. national intelligence director. Both the appointments are subject to Senate approval.