March 30 (Bloomberg) -- Al-Qaeda, in its haven in western Pakistan, is training operatives who are ``western'' in appearance, making it easier for them to get past U.S. airport security, Central Intelligence Director Michael Hayden said.

Hayden, appearing on NBC's ``Meet the Press,'' said the terrorists' sanctuary in tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan is the most likely point of origin for them to launch another attack against the U.S.

They are training ``operatives who look western'' there and ``would be able to come into this country without attracting the attention others might,'' Hayden said. ``If there is another terrorist attack, it will originate there.''

He declined to comment on a Washington Post report last week that the U.S. has increased the intensity of its unilateral air strikes against al-Qaeda members in the area over fears the country's new leaders will scale back such operations.

Pakistan's newly elected Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani yesterday emphasized political rather than military steps to combat a spreading insurgency by Islamic extremists in the border area. The U.S. is concerned a softened approach may let al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other groups expand their base in Pakistan and step up attacks on U.S. forces.

Musharraf Sidelined

The U.S. also is concerned about the political sidelining of President Pervez Musharraf, its longtime ally in Pakistan, since Gillani was sworn in March 25. While Musharraf's previous military government signed peace deals with the tribal leaders in 2006 -- a strategy Hayden called ``absolutely disastrous'' since it allowed al-Qaeda to regroup -- the government also periodically conducted army offensives and permitted U.S. missile strikes on suspected al-Qaeda targets.

``We have not had a better partner in the war against terrorism than Pakistan'' under Musharraf, Hayden said today. When asked if Musharraf would ``still be there'' in three months, Hayden said, ``I don't know.''

Hayden said the CIA believes Osama Bin Laden is in the border region, though ``not operationally involved.'' He ``is more of an iconic figure'' for the global terrorist movement, Hayden said, adding that killing or capturing him and deputy commander Ayman Al-Zawahiri remains a high priority for the CIA.

To contact the reporter on this story: Cary O'Reilly in Washington at caryoreilly@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 30, 2008 13:24 EDT