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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Bin Laden 'cut off from al-Qaeda' | Bin Laden 'cut off from al-Qaeda' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The CIA says Osama Bin Laden is isolated from the day-to-day operations of al-Qaeda, but that the organisation is still the greatest threat to the US. | The CIA says Osama Bin Laden is isolated from the day-to-day operations of al-Qaeda, but that the organisation is still the greatest threat to the US. |
| CIA director Michael Hayden said the Saudi militant was probably hiding in the tribal area of north-west Pakistan. | CIA director Michael Hayden said the Saudi militant was probably hiding in the tribal area of north-west Pakistan. |
| Gen Hayden said that Bin Laden was "putting a lot of energy into his own survival" and that his capture remained the US government's top priority. | |
| But he warned that al-Qaeda continued to grow in Africa and the Middle East. | But he warned that al-Qaeda continued to grow in Africa and the Middle East. |
| In a speech to the Atlantic Council on Thursday, Gen Hayden said: "[Bin Laden] is putting a lot of energy into his own survival, a lot of energy into his own security." | In a speech to the Atlantic Council on Thursday, Gen Hayden said: "[Bin Laden] is putting a lot of energy into his own survival, a lot of energy into his own security." |
| CIA director Michael Hayden discusses Osama Bin Laden | CIA director Michael Hayden discusses Osama Bin Laden |
| "In fact, he appears to be largely isolated from the day-to-day operations of the organisation he nominally heads." | "In fact, he appears to be largely isolated from the day-to-day operations of the organisation he nominally heads." |
| However, Gen Hayden added: "If there is a major strike on this country, it will bear the fingerprints of al-Qaeda." | However, Gen Hayden added: "If there is a major strike on this country, it will bear the fingerprints of al-Qaeda." |
| The CIA believes progress has been made in curbing al-Qaeda's activities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. | The CIA believes progress has been made in curbing al-Qaeda's activities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. |
| However, Gen Hayden said other areas were showing an increase in activity, including: |
| • East Africa: "Al-Qaeda is engaging Somali extremists to revitalise operations... al-Qaeda could claim to be re-establishing its operations base in East Africa" | |
| • The Maghreb: Attacks have worsened since the merger in 2006 of al-Qaeda and the Algerian militant group, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). The GSPC has renamed itself al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb | |
| • Yemen: Saw an "unprecedented number of attacks" in 2008, and could become a launch-pad for attacks in Saudi Arabia | |
| • Pakistan: Safe haven has allowed al-Qaeda to train a "bench of skilled operatives" | |
| Nevertheless, the CIA chief said the hunt for Bin Laden remained the top priority of the US security forces. | Nevertheless, the CIA chief said the hunt for Bin Laden remained the top priority of the US security forces. |
| "His death or capture clearly would have a significant impact on the confidence of his followers - both core al-Qaeda and unaffiliated extremists throughout the world," he said. | "His death or capture clearly would have a significant impact on the confidence of his followers - both core al-Qaeda and unaffiliated extremists throughout the world," he said. |
| Gen Hayden was appointed in May 2006 by President George W Bush but it remains to be seen whether he will retain his job when President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January. | Gen Hayden was appointed in May 2006 by President George W Bush but it remains to be seen whether he will retain his job when President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January. |