Reuters.com: US sees threat from European Islamic militants - by Caroline Drees

For the full report go to Reuters.com or click on this linkUS sees threat from European Islamic militants - by Caroline Drees

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Islamic militants in Europe pose a direct threat to U.S. national security, more than 4-1/2 years after Europe-based plotters planned much of the September 11 attacks, senior U.S. officials said on Wednesday. While small in number, pockets of Islamic extremists exist across Europe and have generated militants such as convicted shoe-bomber Richard Reid, September 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui, and those behind bombings in London and Madrid, said Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of State for European affairs. "It is now well known that the terrorist cell that conducted the 9/11 attacks did much of its planning from a base in Europe," said Henry Crumpton, the State Department's counterterrorism coordinator who spoke at the Senate foreign relations committee alongside Fried.

"Five years later, and despite many counterterrorism successes, violent Islamic extremism in Europe continues to pose a threat to the national security of the United States and our allies," Crumpton said.