Most effective action against al Qaeda: US

WASHINGTON: Arguing that al Qaeda has taken advantage of the treaty Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had signed with tribal leaders, the Bush administration on Sunday said it would use the "most effective action" to contain terrorists operating from the Asian country.

White House Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend said that even though the United States will be working closely with Islamabad, no options are off the table.

"The President (George W Bush) is committed to the most effective action" said Townsend referring to what is being contemplated in the northern areas of Pakistan where the al Qaeda is said to have established a safe haven.

"No options are off the table" she told the Fox News adding "we are taking a whole series of actions."

The National Intelligence Estimate pointed out that the al Qaeda is regenerating and has taken on a safe haven in northern areas of Pakistan which will be one of the elements to be factored into a potential attack against the American homeland.

Meanwhile, two top law makers in the Senate Intelligence Committee appearing in the same Talk Show cautioned Washington against a 'go it alone' approach in taking on the al Qaeda in Pakistan for the simple reason of creating a larger safe haven by way of instability over any unilateral action

Democratic Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana said that one the questions that has to be asked of the Pakistanis on the tribal areas is "Are they capable even if they want to".

The Indiana Democrat argued that while it was time for some "aggressive" action on the part of the Bush administration it would have to be done in a fashion that did not undermine the government in Islamabad.

Republican Senator Kit Bond of Missouri stressed that as long as President Musharraf is in power and is cooperating in the war on terror "we are going to work with him" but maintained that that if the United States knows where bin Laden and his cohorts are "action" will be taken.

"It (meaning the tribal areas) is not an easy place" Bond remarked.