At a July 13 briefing, Gates said Al Qaida has built a global network.
He said Al Qaida operates cells in some countries. In other states, Islamic
insurgency cells have become affiliated with the movement led by Osama Bin
Laden. In other countries, the secretary said, Islamic insurgency cells have
sought but not achieved affiliation with Al Qaida.
"The Maghreb was an area in the second category [insurgency cells
affiliated with Al Qaida]," Gates said.
The United States has been fostering regional cooperation against Al
Qaida. The Defense Department has met with military leaders in Algeria,
Morocco and Tunisia.
"In North Africa, we are working with our partners to counter Al Qaida's
expansion into the Maghreb, evident in the emergence of Al Qaida in the
Islamic Maghreb," Fran Townsend, the White House's homeland security
adviser, said. "This group has claimed responsibility for recent terrorist
bombings in Algeria, including the April 11th and July 11th attacks. As you
know, at the president's direction, I am just back from discussions with our
allies in Morocco, Algeria and Libya to discuss these very concerns."
In a briefing on July 17, Ms. Townsend said she was sent to Libya by
President George Bush to discuss security cooperation. She said the Bush
administration expressed concern over Libya's reluctance to cooperate on
counter-insurgency issues.
"The Libyans have agreed to accept an ambassador," Ms. Townsend said.
"But there are more issues, and we need more progress. And I think it's fair
to say that both the Libyans are frustrated and we're frustrated because we
both want more out of that relationship. But it's going to take time."
Officials said Al Qaida has become a franchised organization. They said
Bin Laden's movement evolved from a centralized to a series of autonomous
networks under the Al Qaida umbrella.
"We have pretty good evidence that, for example, Al Qaida in Iraq takes
strategic guidance and inspiration from the Al Qaida in the western part of
Pakistan," Gates said. "They get advice, they clearly are connected, but
they also have substantial autonomy."