CIA Director Details World Threats

WASHINGTON (AP) -- CIA Director George Tenet, in an annual appearance before the Senate intelligence committee to outline world threats, said the world remains a dangerous place more than a decade after the end of the Cold War and that technology and the rising threat of terrorism has only increased that danger. Some examples:

--INDIA-PAKISTAN. Deep-seated rivalries persist among the world's two newest declared nuclear powers. The October coup in Pakistan that brought a military leader to power makes it even less likely that India will be willing to resume peace talks. ``Pakistanis are equally suspicious of India's newly elected coalition.'' Meanwhile, heavy fighting continues through the winter in disputed Kashmir, with ``potential to fuel a wider and more dangerous conflict.''

--NORTH KOREA. North Korea may already have the theoretical capability of delivering ``a small biological or chemical weapon to the United States,'' and may soon be capable of delivering a nuclear payload. Given North Korea's economic woes and a population losing confidence in its rulers, ``sudden, radical, and possibly dangerous change remains a real possibility... and that change could come at any time.''

--RUSSIA. Russia's economic difficulties ``continue to weaken the reliability'' of its system for controlling its nuclear arsenal. ``We have no evidence that weapons are missing in Russia, but we remain concerned by reports of lax discipline, labor strikes, poor morale and criminal activities at nuclear storage facilities.''

--THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA. With the conflict in Chechnya forcing a stream of refugees into neighboring areas and with economies stagnating and organized crime on the rise, ``the region could become a breeding ground for a new generation of Islamic extremists, taking advantage of increasing dissatisfaction.''

--IRAN. Iran's government will remain hostile to U.S. interests, at least for now; and the regime will ``probably'' have ballistic missile capable of delivering a ``light payload to the United States'' within the next few years.

--IRAQ. Despite a worsening economy, increasing domestic unrest and U.S. and British enforcement of no-fly zones, Saddam Hussein has ``shown himself to be politically agile enough to weather these challenges.'' Major worries are Saddam's reconstruction of suspected weapons sites destroyed in Operation Desert Fox, missile development work, and the fact that Iraq continues to have a conventional military that remains the largest in the Middle East.

--THE BALKANS. Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's ``hold on power has not been seriously shaken in the past few months.'' He still controls the military, his inner circle remains ``loyal or at least cowed,'' and he controls an ``effective media machine.'' This comes as Serbia has become the poorest country in Europe in the aftermath of the NATO bombing campaign.

--CHINA. There is ``high potential for another military flare-up across the Taiwan Strait'' this year, with the catalyst being the March 18 elections in Taiwan. China has been building up its forces arrayed along the Strait.

--INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. The United States' attraction as a terrorist target continues to increase. Fugitive Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden, continuing to operate out of Afghanistan, is ``still foremost'' among terrorists feared by the U.S. intelligence community. ``Everything we have learned recently confirms our conviction that he wants to strike further blows against America.''

AP-NY-02-03-00 0512EST

02/03

-- don (don@aol.com), February 03, 2000

Answers

Folks:

One general comment re the US and CIA: 'Sow the wind; reap the whirlwind.'

-- bz (beezee@statesville.net), February 03, 2000.

I think that our president seems to be antagonizing other world powers and making the world a more dangerous place for Americans on purpose. Because he's too sharp to be doing it out of stupidity, and I don't see that his past shows much loyalty to the interests of this nation. He objected to Vietnam because we supported one side in a civil struggle, but enthusiastically bombed and harrassed one side (one being no guiltier than the other as the evidence has now shown) in Kosovo. He took Chinese money and supported their favored trading status, but bombed their embassy (pretty antagonizing, and backstabbing too). Now he sanctions the boarding of Russian ships, perhaps because Russia hasn't yet decided to be our implacable enemy again, and that needs to change so we're behind the 8-ball as a nation where he apparently wants us...but wait--I thought he wanted world peace and the ability to cut the military budget? Oh well. I guess it depends on what the definition of "peace" or "military budget" is.

The worst to me is that Americans don't seem to care if our productive might is used to bully other nations, so long as our economy is okay. Protecting our interests or defending our citizens and assets is one thing, but we've overstepped that during this administration, as in some others in the past.

This year I hope we get a president who makes war with at least a modicum of justice, having some kind of moral restraint that can be turned to that end, since apparently Congress no longer has the sole power to make war, and neither do they have sole power to make the laws (judicial activism effectively makes many laws). Governmental separation of powers is slipping, so we need a leader with good character now more than ever.

-- S. Kohl (kohl@hcpd.com), February 03, 2000.

And regarding China...

President Clinton will veto Taiwan bill

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), February 03, 2000.

Yes, when Clinton's Republican successor is elected this year and we later find ourselves embattled in a major war, market crash and economic depression, I wager that the anti-Clinton voices will be extremely silent.

-- Ed and Rodney ain't the only ones who get no respect (@ .), February 03, 2000.

Personally, I don't take bribes. The economy isn't a justification for being a bully nation, for me. But you're right--it is for most Americans, which is shameful.

I give a high percentage (more than you can deduct) of my income to worthy causes (that I check on myself, usually administered by someone I know personally). And I always have, even when I earned minimum wage (although I didn't have my own kids to invest in then, either).

So I have put my money where my mouth is in the past, and will continue to do so. I have also personally gotten two teenagers (not my own, and without their parental support) off drugs and through highschool, which required a lot of time and emotional distress on my part (you don't know if you'll succeed till its over). So I give in every area, and will always do so.

The economy, or "what is right"? Not even in question for me. Hypocrisy is reprehensible, and I focus on avoiding it.

-- S. Kohl (kohl@hcpd.com), February 03, 2000.

"Yes, when Clinton's Republican successor is elected this year and we later find ourselves embattled in a major war, market crash and economic depression, I wager that the anti-Clinton voices will be extremely silent."

If these things come to pass, it will be because of the gross Democrat mismanagement of this country's affairs. There is so much damage to the US now, it probably couldn't be fixed in a generation. Thanks to Clinton and his henchmen.

I'll take that wager, by the way. Nothing is going to silence me. I would wager that the pro-clinton voices will be too embarrassed to admit they ever supported him.

-- Powder (Powder47keg@aol.com), February 03, 2000.

Just a reminder: we (in this country) still have to make it till next January's next Pres's inaugeration, without getting embroiled in something extremely loud.

Somehow I doubt Clinton would pass on the chance to see if he could out-do FDR during FDR's war years.

Mr. Kohl, my proverbial hat is off to you for getting your kids through HS clean and, I'd guess, with good skills at thinking critically.

-- Redeye in Ohio (cannot@work.com), February 03, 2000.

Lets not forget about all those Executive Orders that Clinton has made under our noses. Those 1,000 FBI files that are under his roof. Could it be that Clinton isn't planning on leaving office? Could it be that our elected officials are to scared to speak against him because their file is among the ones under Clinton's roof? They don't call him Slick Willie for nothing. Personally, this man scares the hell out of me, maybe all those dead people who knew The Clinton's in one fashion or form aren't silent in my mind either. Just a thought folks.

-- Judy (Dodgeball@aol.com), February 03, 2000.

Good point Judy. "Dead men (or interns) tell no tales"

The Clinton Body Count/Death List 1987-1999

-- Powder (Powder47keg@aol.com), February 03, 2000.

OOPS, forgot a link:

Disposition of Executive orders signed by President William J. Clinton: 1993- Present

-- Powder (Powder47keg@aol.com), February 03, 2000.

S. Kohl:

You rock baby! I wish we had more like you. I, also, make it practice to give away as much as I can, not to mention that I am a missionary who depends on faith giving. If you are interested in sending me any money that I will send on to deserving mission work in Medellin, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala or Morocco, see my web site at www.miamiteam.org

My picture is under the link; What is the Miami Team.

In any case, blessings be multiplied back to you!

-- JoseMiami (caris@prodigy.net), February 03, 2000.

Thanks, Redeye, and JoseMiami: I liked that webpage! It is always encouraging to see or hear about what others are doing.

-- S. Kohl (kohl@hcpd.com), February 04, 2000.