9/11 Commission leader says al-Qaida threat still real

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) - 24-Hour News 8 talked with former Indiana congressman Lee Hamilton about the death of Osama bin Laden.

Hamilton, who was vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission, said the death has more symbolic significance than tactical significance.

“You kill the leader, it doesn’t kill the movement,” he said.

He emphasized that the U.S. should be very wary of bin Laden’s successor for leadership of al-Qaida, no matter who it is.

"Anyone who becomes the leader will want to prove the relevance of al-Qaida quickly, and I think there is a strong likelihood of revenge attacks fairly soon," Hamilton said.

He also said instability in Pakistan – where bin Laden was found and killed – is especially worrisome because it is a nuclear-armed country.

"The biggest nightmare for any of us,” Hamilton said, “is for terrorists to get ahold of a nuclear weapon.”

Hamilton said he suspects al-Qaida is less capable than it was when it attacked the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. But, its intent is the same, he said.

"Their intent is to kill as many Americans as possible, and to do it as quickly as possible."

And while the death of bin Laden is important, Hamilton said, he isn't ready to call it a turning point in the war on terror.

"We'd be very mistaken to relax," he said.

Hamilton is now director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University in Bloomington.