Panetta: African terrorists a real concern

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said recently that al Qaeda terrorists may regroup in Africa, and that is why the U.S. is sending 100 Special Forces troops to one of the most violent places on Earth.

The first 40 Americans have arrived in the region that includes South Sudan, scene of a long running civil war, and the Congo, site of the deadliest conflict since World War II.

CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley sat down with Panetta, who said the Americans will train local forces to fight terrorists, including al Qaeda.

Pelley: You're sending a hundred troops in, roughly. Is that the beginning of many more?

Penetta: We are all very careful about making sure that no mission like this expands beyond limits, and that we keep a tight reign. And for the moment this is more than adequate to meet the mission that we're assigned.

Pelley: Why now?

Panetta: The longer you delay, the longer you avoid trying to assign some assistance there, the more dangerous these groups become and the greater the instability that develops there.

Pelley: Did you have reason to believe that this part of Central Africa was becoming a haven for terrorism?

Panetta: There are elements there that either have ties to al Qaeda or that represent the forces of terrorism on their own. And that's what's dangerous.

Pelley: A lot of folks at home would be concerned after the experience in Afghanistan and Iraq to hear about more US forces going into an area that you consider to be unstable.

Panetta: The American people should be concerned. I'm concerned. The Congress is concerned. And for that reason we have to exercise the greatest caution.

Secretary Panetta also told CBS News he hopes to keep some U.S. forces in Iraq beyond the deadline for withdrawal at the end of the year. That is still under negotiation with the Iraqi government.

A injured woman is carried from a United Nation's office after a car blew up in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011. A car laden with explosives rammed through two gates and blew up at the United Nations' offices in Nigeria's capital Friday, killing at least seven people and shattering part of the concrete structure.

/ AP Photo

[tsigili]

The Islamists in Somalia, are an even bigger concern.

[Anotheryahoo]

We need to get our noses out of the entire world just like Ron Paul says. I know there are a lot of people here who are very scared of personal Freedom & Liberty but you may be surprised and it will cost a heck of lot less then these endless wars and police state.
So now they are pushing African wars terrific......when does this nonsense stop? when we Elect Ron Paul.

[oldman67]

Terrorist are not the concern for the US. The vast natural resources of Africa is the real goal. AFRICOM is already in the works.Africa is to be a contient under the control of the US and Vietnam started the same way. The CIA is always there first.Carrying out their covert operations.

[Anotheryahoo]

It time to stop policing Islam and its lunatics of hate, lets concentrate on our country instead. Vote Ron Paul to stop the corporations endless march. Enough Wars! Bring back Liberty and freedom in U.S. 1st!

[StynqueOne]

Wasn't this the way Vietnam started? My God-are we going to war with the entire world? For years the Pentagon has been trying to get the African Command Posts called "Africom" physically established on the African continent http://www.africom.mil/ and this will give them an excuse. What our corporations want the Pentagon to do is to secure the control of the vast mineral wealth's and keep them from the Chinese. Where ever we go, death and destruction is sure to follow under the guise of "Securing American Interests" from the evil terrorists. This will also make Mr. Obomb'em look tough in the up coming elections and sidetrack the attention of the Media & public away from the growing protests. The tail is a wagin'...

[KnowerseekerReturns]

I don't think *any* of the 99% want this.

[Granny-195]

This is going to make Obama look really bad in the upcoming elections. A bipartisan Congress passed a bill allowing these "advisors," And G.E.'s Mr. Immelt, Obama's advisor on jobs, may think another little war will be just the thing. Yes, I know G.E. owns CBS.

[nomorehags]

HELL YES THEY ARE!! JUST LOOK AT THE ONE IN THE WHITE HOUSE. THE KENYAN OBAMA HAS CRASHED THE ECONOMY AND HAS SENT 1OO ""ADVISERS""
TO HELP THE MUSLIMS FIGHT THE CHRISTIANS IN AFRICA.

[KnowerseekerReturns]

Yeah right. Sure.

[jcnbma]

Is he talking about Cain?

[RSorge]

It must have slipped the administration's mind that there already exists an organization that can undertake the task of quelling the terrorists, if that's what they are. That organization is the United Nations, established after World War II for precisely that purpose: united action against a common enemy. If the White House thinks they have a case against the alledged terrorists, bring it to the U.N. and make the case. This is no time to start a fourth war for the U.S., whose military and money are already stretched to the breaking point.

[KnowerseekerReturns]

Oh yes, the U.N. sure has a great track record for accomplishing much... not! That said, I still don't support any more "war on terrorism". Bring our boys (and girls) home.

[smittyc]

How can they expect a successful conclusion in Africa when our own borders are being invaded, American citizens are dying at the hands of drug cartels. Why is he asking for more taxes when we can afford to send more troops abroad? This is the President that said he would end the "illegal wars" and now has CIA in Egypt, is involved with NATO in Libya, added a troop surge in Afghanistan. The United States has been at war for over 10 years, its time to stop.

[Corrupt-DOJ-employee]

The FBI and DEA use gang members to harass suspects. Several corrupt DEA and FBI are angry that I complained to the San Francisco Attorney General's office. I complained that they where fabricating evidence and stealing from me. For pay back they poisoned my dog to death. Osama Bin-Laden likely died a more human death than my dog. But that is not enough.

One of many occasions...on Oct 17 2011, 7:30PM at the "Milpitas Great Mall" in Milpitas California, corrupt FBI and DEA where using gang members to threaten violence against me because I will not let them get away with stealing from me.

[oynx]

The United States government seeks the cooperation of other nations to protect America in the fight against terrorism. Is this not so? If this is true is it unreasonable that the United States should seek to assist other nations in their fight against domestic terrorists in these nations? One hand cannot clap. President Obama is right to send troops to assist African nations that are battling rebels that have been killing and raping innocents for over two decades. It should have been done sooner. This is just the right thing to do. That this decision of President Obama is being critisized shows the utter selfishness and moral bankruptcy of some americans.

[freeamerica31]

While I agree there are additional concerns in the African Region, this is not the way to go about fixing it. We have too much modern weaponary which allow us to wipe these folks out without putting one military person on the ground. Don't play the ground game...we can't win!

It's time to quit sacrificing men and women on the ground. Drop a few tactical nuclear weapons and will find out who really wants to play.

[StynqueOne]

It may be a guise to secure mineral deposits and keep them from the Chinese and in Colonial hands-USA, GB, and France.