WASHINGTON, July 5 (UPI) -- The growing number of messages released by Osama bin Laden suggests he is trying to reclaim control of al-Qaida, the New York Daily News reports.
The newspaper quoted two U.S. experts on al-Qaida, Michael Scheuer, who ran the CIA's Osama Bin Laden unit, and journalist Peter Bergen, who interviewed bin Laden in 1997.
The pair noted bin Laden has issued five audiotapes since he ended a 14-month silence in January, and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri has released eight audio- or videotaped speeches this year.
"It means their command and control over al-Qaida is probably stronger than we thought it was," said Scheuer. "I'd be worried about claims that these guys are on the run and can't communicate -- clearly that's not the case."
Bergen said the growing number of releases also shows the terror leaders are "extremely unconcerned about releasing them" as a risk to their own security.
However, two senior U.S. intelligence officials told the News they disagreed, and doubt Bin Laden and Zawahiri could possibly oversee operational control over the entire group.
