Reuters News Agency - before 9/11, leading up to the event
In the three years up to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, U.S. intelligence agencies had reports that Osama bin Laden's followers planned to hijack aircraft, attack U.S. targets and had staged a "dry run" at a New York airport, a congressional report said on Thursday.
The final report of the joint inquiry that the House of Representatives and Senate intelligence committees conducted last year included newly declassified details. Following is a timeline of the intelligence:
In December 1998, an intelligence report said a follower of bin Laden "was planning operations against U.S. targets. Plans to hijack U.S. aircraft proceeding well. Two individuals (information not declassified) had successfully evaded checkpoints in a dry run at a NY airport," the report said.
On Dec. 8, 1999, the CIA's Counterterrorist Center assessed that bin Laden may be seeking to attack between 5 and 15 targets on the Millennium and "because the U.S. is UBL's (bin Laden's) ultimate goal ... we must assume that several of these targets will be in the U.S.," the report said.
On Jan. 29, 2001, the CIA's Counterterrorist Center in a briefing on al Qaeda said that about 70,000 to 120,000 people trained in the camps in Afghanistan since 1979.
On May 10, 2001, CIA Director George Tenet told a Senate hearing there had been an 80 percent rise in terrorism since 1998 and there was likely to be an attack against U.S. interests over the next year.
On June 28, 2001, an assessment said that based on a review of intelligence over the past five months, "we believe that UBL (bin Laden) will launch a significant terrorist attack against U.S. and/or Israeli interests in the coming weeks."
"The attack will be spectacular and designed to inflict mass casualties against U.S. facilities or interests."
"Attack preparations have been made. Attack will occur with little or no warning. They are waiting us out, looking for a vulnerability."
In July 2001, an assessment said that over previous weeks there were over 25 reports "alluding to an impending attack. Never before has the Intelligence Community seen so many indicators," the congressional report said.
On Aug. 16, 2001, an assessment by CIA's Counterterrorist Center said that "for every UBL (bin Laden) operative that we stop, an estimated 50 operatives slip through our loose net undetected."
"Based on recent arrest, it is clear that UBL is building up a worldwide infrastructure which will allow him to launch multiple and simultaneous attacks with little or no warning."
On Sept. 10, 2001, the day before the attacks, the National Security Agency which eavesdrops on electronic communications worldwide, obtained two pieces of information suggesting that "individuals with terrorist connections" believed something significant would happen on Sept. 11, although no specific time, place or type of event was revealed, the report said.
"Because of the nature of the processes involved, NSA is unable to report the information until September 12," the report said.
And this was from philly's post link:
"An entire section on whether there was Saudi support for the hijackers was deleted, as were 26 pages on their foreign financing."
An entire section deleted - PLUS 26 pages on financing.
I think it's pretty common knowledge that even with millions of dollars running through the Saudi economy, their Political Monarchy
is borderline bankrupt, but the Sheiks have stashed a personal bundle.
Few opportunities for usefull employment for the nations youth - mid-teens through late 20's, is building a backlash within the country.
Disenchantment with their lot in life and the inter-action with U.S. policies of their Monarchy have made this a focal spot for resentment aimed at us.
Easy recrutment of anti-U.S. religious fanatics.
Facebook
Twitter