Former Commanding General Of U.S. Central Command Says Al Qaeda Not Gone With Death Of Bin Laden

RENO – The former commanding general of the U.S. Central Command told a group of Nevadans Wednesday that the death of Osama bin Laden does not mean the U.S. can become complacent and assume that Al Qaeda is no longer a threat.
Retired Gen. John Abizaid, who’s hometown is the tiny hamlet of Coleville in northeast California, said the terrorist organization remains a threat to American interests here and around the world.
“We got rid of the head of the snake – don’t think the snake is dead,” he said. “There’s a lot more fighting ahead, there’s a lot more trouble ahead.”

Retired Gen. John Abizaid discusses the death of Osama bin Laden and the future of Al Qaeda at an event in Reno./Photo: Sean Whaley, Nevada News Bureau

But Abizaid, who served as commander of the United States Central Command from July 2003 until March 2007, sounded an optimistic note, saying none of the troubles we will face from terrorism or uncertainty in the Middle East threaten the county in any fundamental way.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM), oversees American military operations in a 27-country region including much of the Middle East.
“There’s no trouble that’s so big ahead that is going to take down our country,” he said. “Our forces are strong, and despite our economic difficulties and troubles, when I go around this country and look and see how thing are, I believe that there is greater strength here than anywhere else on earth.”
Abizaid made his comments at the National Security Forum, a group organized by Reno resident Ty Cobb, who served as special assistant to President Ronald Reagan for National Security Affairs from 1983 to 1989.
Abizaid was joined in the presentation by Lt. Col. Reid Sawyer, head of the “Combating Terrorism Center” at West Point, where Abizaid serves as the distinguished chair. The topic of the presentation was “Global Terrorism after Osama bin Laden: The Road Ahead for Al Qaeda and associated terrorist groups.”
Abizaid said he believes the U.S. must reduce its presence in the Middle East, in part because of this nation’s economic problems, but that completely walking away is not an option no matter how attractive it sounds.
“If you think you can walk away from the Middle East without Al Qaeda following us you are mistaken,” he said. “It is an organization that is determined to attack American power where ever it may be. Whether we’re in the Middle East, whether we’re in Africa, whether we’re here at home. They have an intention to do that and they will do that.”
The U.S. military presence in the region is a big part of why the U.S. has not been subjected to a major attack within its borders since 9-11, Abizaid said.
The key is to use these reduced American forces to fight terrorist cells in the region using intelligence provided by a vastly more coordinated CIA and Defense Department, he said.
Sawyer said Americans can expect further attempts to attack the country, in part because of those motivated to do so by bin Laden’s death. Experts also believe that any operations that were in the planning stages by Al Qaeda before his death are continuing, he said.
“There is little disagreement in the long run that Al Qaeda remains at operational capacity to attack the United States or certainly our economic interests abroad,” Sawyer said.
Audio clips:
Gen. John Abizaid says Al Qaeda remains a threat even with death of bin Laden:
060811Abizaid3 :07 more trouble ahead.”
But Abizaid says the U.S. will survive any attack:
060811Abizaid4 :17 else on earth.”
Abizaid says the U.S. military cannot afford to completely depart from the Middle East:
060811Abizaid1 :18 will do that.”
Lt. Col. Reid Sawyer says Al Qaeda is expected to remain a threat to the U.S.:
060811Sawyer :09 economic interests abroad.”