CIA Chief Calls Bin Laden Group Most Serious Threat to US
 
Washington, Feb. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Accused terrorist Osama bin Laden and his organization pose the most serious threat to U.S. national security, CIA chief George Tenet told a Senate panel today.

Tenet described bin Laden's activities and other potential security threats, including growing instability in the Middle East and difficulties in U.S.-Sino relations, in an annual Central Intelligence Agency report to the Senate Intelligence Committee.

``Osama bin Laden and his global network of lieutenants and associates remain the most immediate and serious threat,'' Tenet said.

The trial of four men accused of bombing U.S. embassies in Africa at the direction of bin Laden's organization began in New York this week.

Although bin Laden is named as a defendant in the case, he is not on trial. Prosecutors believe he is in hiding in Afghanistan, under the protection of the Taliban, a fundamentalist group that rules the country.

Tenet also drew attention in his testimony to potential ballistic missiles threats from a variety of nations and blamed Russia, China, and North Korea for helping other nations -- such as Iran and Pakistan -- with technology transfers to advance missile, chemical, biological and nuclear weapon capabilities...