U.S. Force Not Ruled Out in Pakistan

White House Homeland Security Adviser Frances Townsend briefs the media on actions to protect Americans from terrorist threats, Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) (Ron Edmonds - AP)

On Sunday, Townsend reiterated the importance of Musharraf's efforts.

"We should also be clear that we believe Pakistan has been a very good ally in the war on terrorism," she said. "Musharraf has been the subject of numerous assassination attempts. Al-Qaida's trying to kill him. They get what the problem is. And we're working with them to deny al-Qaida and the Taliban the safe haven."

McConnell also sought to bolster the leader of Pakistan, a key U.S. partner in its fight against terrorism. "President Musharraf is one of our strongest allies," McConnell said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he agreed with Townsend that the U.S. should consider going after al-Qaida militarily "wherever they are."

"We have the NIE report, which just came out, that says al-Qaida during this administration is stronger than ever. I don't think we should take anything off the table. Wherever we find these evil people we should go get them," Reid said.

But Kasuri said Pakistan was ready to act on any intelligence from the U.S.

"Let the United States provide us with actionable intelligence and you will find that Pakistan will never be lacking," he said. "Pakistan's army can do the job much better and the result will be that there will be far less collateral damage."

The new U.S. intelligence estimate said al-Qaida is using its growing strength in Pakistan and Iraq to plot attacks on U.S. soil, heightening the terrorist threat facing the United States over the next few years. In particular, it warned that through its affiliate in Iraq, al-Qaida is able to recruit and energize extremists for attacks.

McConnell, the nation's intelligence chief, acknowledged that the war in Iraq has served as a recruiting tool for al-Qaida. He said coalition forces and local leaders have had some successes in knocking back the terrorist network, particularly in the western region of the country.

But when asked if al-Qaida has a larger, more robust presence in Iraq than before the war began, McConnell said, "That's fair to say."

Townsend spoke on "Fox News Sunday" and "Late Edition" on CNN. McConnell appeared on "Meet the Press" on NBC. Reid was on "Face the Nation" on CBS and Kasuri on CNN.