USA: Six years after 9/11 the question of whether America is safer than it was before is still under debate

As the sixth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in American history draws close, the question of whether America is safer now than it was before, remains intensely debated. At a Congressional hearing in Washington D.C. on Monday (September 10), the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said that America is much safer now even though the enemy has been adapting their attack strategy. "It's also clear to me that we have more work to be done, because, as you said Mr. Chairman, the enemy is not standing still. They are constantly revising their tactics and adapting their strategy and their capabilities," Chertoff said. At the World Trade Center site on Monday, New Yorkers and Americans visiting from other states, expressed mixed feelings when it came to the question of whether they feel safer today. "I don't feel a hundred percent safe because of the reports that there's been out that Al Qaeda has regained its strength before 9/11, that same strength it had before 9/11 and just a general air of concern everywhere," said David Olivares who was visiting New York from Texas. Brendan Todd, however, was more optimistic, saying, "I don't think the problem will ever be completely solved and it's an ongoing battle that we're going to have to have, but right now I, for the most part, do feel safe and, you know, I hope it can continue that way." In the months preceding the sixth anniversary of 9/11, there has been widespread speculation around recent intelligence reports that point to the possibility of al Qaeda planning new terrorist attacks on American soil. Intelligence analysts have said that the network's ability to attack the West is rebounding, and that al Qaeda has inspired cells and sympathizers who may be unable to strike on the scale of Sept. 11 but can nevertheless cause death and destruction.

ITN Source | September 11, 2007

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