WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An internal CIA (news - web sites) report concludes that a likely goal of al Qaeda and related groups is to launch attacks using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons to cause "panic and disruption," The Washington Times reported on Tuesday.
The four-page report obtained by the newspaper said no information proves the group now is planning an attack in the United States, but noted that "such an attack cannot be ruled out," The Washington Times said.
According to the newspaper, the unclassified report identified several deadly toxins and chemicals that al Qaeda could use in attacks, including nerve gases, germ weapons and radiological dispersal devices, also known as "dirty bombs."
A CIA spokesman could not be reached for comment late on Monday.
The Washington Times report said the CIA document was produced by the agency's intelligence directorate.
It said most attacks by al Qaeda and associated extremists probably would be small-scale, using relatively crude delivery means and easily produced or obtained chemicals, toxins or radiological substances.
The newspaper also quoted the CIA document as saying that the group's success in any attack would depend on planners' technical expertise. However, one likely goal of any attempted attack would be "panic and disruption
The four-page report obtained by the newspaper said no information proves the group now is planning an attack in the United States, but noted that "such an attack cannot be ruled out," The Washington Times said.
According to the newspaper, the unclassified report identified several deadly toxins and chemicals that al Qaeda could use in attacks, including nerve gases, germ weapons and radiological dispersal devices, also known as "dirty bombs."
A CIA spokesman could not be reached for comment late on Monday.
The Washington Times report said the CIA document was produced by the agency's intelligence directorate.
It said most attacks by al Qaeda and associated extremists probably would be small-scale, using relatively crude delivery means and easily produced or obtained chemicals, toxins or radiological substances.
The newspaper also quoted the CIA document as saying that the group's success in any attack would depend on planners' technical expertise. However, one likely goal of any attempted attack would be "panic and disruption