9/11 Commission, Memorandum for the Record, 11/20/2003, State Department Interviews

9/11 Commission, Memorandum for the Record, 11/20/2003, State Department Interviews

9/11 Commission interview with Maura Harty, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State, and Jamie Borek, Assistant Legal Counsel, Department of State. Discussion of improvements, and areas in need of improvement, related to the State Department's handling of intelligence in the wake of September 11.

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, INTELFILES, State-Department

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, Memorandum for the Record, 9/12/2003, CIA Budget

Memorandum for the Record, 9/11 Commission, 9/12/2003: CIA Interviews

This is a tough examination of the effect of politically mandated budget cuts on the CIA prior to September 11. Subjects interviewed were Pat Hanback of the CIA's Inspector General Office and another subject whose name has been redacted.

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, Budget, CIA, Counterterrorism, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission Memoranda on Extremism in Pakistan

In light of recent developments in Pakistan, it's useful and interesting to take a look at some of the interviews conducted in Pakistan by the 9/11 Commission, which spoke with State Department hands, Pakistani officials at various levels and local journalists.

What immediately grabs you about these accounts is the breathtaking state of denial among Pakistani officials. One wonders what they think now.

10/25/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Retired Lt. Gen. Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, Governor of the Northwest Frontier Province

"[T]he Governor strongly disputed the coalition perception of the situation. He flatly stated that terrorist groups could not have a base in the NWFP; it was 'impossible.' Madrassas were in cities, not the countryside. Weapons would have to be used for training, making noise that would give them away. That would be reported. Most of the population was not with the jihadis. These people were probably being harbored in Afghanistan."

10/26/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with U.S. State Department Country Team, Islamabad

"Asked what the current government wants to accomplish, beyond the defense and foreign policy sphere, emphasis was placed on economic stability, controlling corruption, sustaining some kind of democratic transition, and developing moderate Islam."

10/27/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Ashraf Naser, Chief Secretary of Balochistan

"We told him that we had concerns about Balochistan, that many informed officials in both Afghanistan and Pakistan had told us that it is unsafe, insecure and that extremists are gaining the upper hand there. Naser disagreed vehemently with this characterization. 'Why don't you come to Quetta with me? He invited. Foreign journalists roam freely
there. I don't see a problem.' [...]

"Naser said that the U.S. had more or less brought the 9/11 attacks on itself. You left Afghanistan unattended, we told you that was a mistake. We knew what was happening
there. But the Pakistanis could not control the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"He asserted that the recent sectarian killings in Balochistan were part of an Afghan plot to destabilize the region. The suicide bombers were part of Taliban groups trained in Afghanistan, he said. These suicide bombers were Baloch from south of Quetta, they were trained by Indians in Afghanistan. 'The Northern Alliance is openly contemptuous of us.'"

10/27/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Secretary Tasneem Noorani, Pakistani Ministry of Interior

"He indicated that he and the entire Ministry were in shock by the 9-11 attacks and were struck by the scale and scope of the attacks. They couldn't image that the attacks could be connected with Pakistan. The initial reaction was a total blank. They didn't know how to react.

"Only after the US began discussing Usama bin Laden did the Ministry become aware of UBL and that the region, Pakistan and Afghanistan, was somehow involved. UBL was not known in Pakistan. He is an eccentric Saudi and was not understood by most people. [...]

"The Secretary seemed completely surprised by evidence that KSM had been active in Karachi and that he celebrated the 9-11 attacks in there and was actually interviewed by a journalist in Karachi about the attack. This information was a surprise to the Secretary. He asked for proof. He didn't believe any accounts of journalists in this regard."

The U.S. consul in Karachi didn't fare much better before the Commission's questioning.

10/20/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Douglas C. Rohn, Consul General, U.S. Consulate, Karachi

"The Consul did not have a very informed understanding of the type and sophistication of the threat in Karachi or the region. He had no estimate of the al Qai' da presence, though he recognized that they have long operated in the region. His insights into the terrorist threat, from his few months on the job, were very basic and didn't provide any new information ... 'we've been attacked here in Karachi, the bad guys are out there, I'm trying to keep American safe.'"

It wasn't all bad, however. There were a few people who seemed to know what they were talking about.

10/25/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Arlene Ferrill, Consul General, U.S. Consulate, Peshawar

"CG Ferrill commented on the NWFP government that arose out of the parliamentary elections in the fall of 2002. Eveyone had been surprised, including the victors, by the success of the six-party Islamic coalition, led by the JI (Qazi Hussain Ahmed) and JUI(Fezlur Rahman), Their rhetorical agenda calls for restoration of Sharia law and stresses anti-American themes. [Comment: An Islamic coalition also won power at the same time in Balochistan.] The popular climate in the NWFP is anti-American. In that sense, not much has changed in Peshawar since 9111. Though openly wearing guns has stopped in Peshawar, it continues in the tribal areas - as does the availability of a wide variety of arms in nearby bazaars."

10/27/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with journalist Ahmed Rashid

"[Prior to 9/11], the US had a policy on terrorism, focused only on what they wanted with Bin Laden. But the Americans did not present Pakistan, then under sanctions, either with carrots or with sticks. Clinton had snubbed Pakistan with the way he had handled his visit, favoring India, in March 2000. To present carrots and/or sticks would have required a real geopolitical strategy toward Pakistan, not just toward terrorism."

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, INTELFILES, MFR, Pakistan, State-Department

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, Jan. 1, 2004 to End of FOIA Response

A note to readers: This is the last batch of chronological documents provided by the FBI to the 9/11 Commission and referenced in footnotes to that report.

There are a handful of major reports left to post, representing some of the FBI's deepest analytical works regarding the September 11 attacks. Those reports will be posted over the next several weeks.

A substantial amount of additional 9/11 materials are available and will continue to be posted here, as well as a variety of declassified government documents on various topics of intererst, including crime and law enforcement, national security, intelligence, war on terror, and more.

01/04/2004: FBI Summary of Information, Lotfi Raissi

01/04/2004: FBI Summary of Information, Lotfi Raissi

Raissi was an Algerian national who lived in Phoenix and attended flight school shortly after Hani Hanjour, one of the 9/11 hijackers. This 22-page document contains a substantial amount of information the FBI collected on Raissi, including alleged links to Hanjour and previous investigations in several countries. The document also contains information about Hanjour's flight training and additional unknown individuals who took flight training at the same time.

02/09/2004: FBI/DS Deployment to Sierra Leone

02/09/2004: FBI/DS Deployment to Sierra Leone

02/09/2004: FBI/DS Deployment to Sierra Leone

Details of an FBI investigative trip to Sierra Leone. The reasons for the trip are related to the investigation of conflict diamonds to finance al Qaeda.

03/25/2004: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Louise Sweeney (9/11 Families)

04/07/2004: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Fuad Omar Bazarah

04/07/2004: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Fuad Omar Bazarah

05/17/2004: FBI Summary of Information, Mohdar Mohamed Abdullah

05/18/2004: FBI Summary of Information, Mohdar Mohamed Abdullah

05/18/2004: FBI Summary, Interview of Charles Sabah Toma (re: Modhar Mohamed Abdullah)

06/09/2004: FBI, Information in Preparation for Interview of Yazeed Saad Atif
Al-Salmi

06/17/2004: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Yazeed Al Salmi

06/17/2004: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Yazeed Al Salmi

06/17/2004: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Yazeed Al Salmi

07/01/2004: FBI Lead Sheet, Mohdar Mohamed Abdullah

The four documents that follow appear to be the same document with wildly different patterns of redaction applied by the FBI.

04/25/2006: FBI Memorandum, Connections of San Diego PENTTBOMB Subjects to the Government of Saudi Arabia

04/25/2006: FBI Memorandum, Connections of San Diego PENTTBOMB Subjects to the Government of Saudi Arabia

Date Unclear: FBI Memorandum, Connections of San Diego PENTTBOMB Subjects to the Government of Saudi Arabia

Date Unclear: FBI Memorandum, Connections of San Diego PENTTBOMB Subjects to the Government of Saudi Arabia

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, FBI, Flight-Schools, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Lotfi-Raissi, Saudi-Arabia

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

10/2/2001: Secret Post-9/11 Briefing To World Leaders

Shortly after 9/11, U.S. embassies around the world were instructed to deliver a top-secret briefing to world leaders on the attacks of September 11. The report was a snapshot of everything the U.S. knew about al Qaeda at the time, including highly sensitive and classified intelligence helping prove the case that Al Qaeda had carried out the attack. The briefing also implicated Al Qaeda for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the 1995 thwarted Bojinka plot. Embassies were instructed on Oct. 2, 2001, to deliver "oral briefings only and not [repeat] not leave the document" in hard copy form.

According to the briefing:

"In the run-up to September 11, Bin Ladin and his associates seemed to be anticipating what we could only identify as an important event or activity, possibly an attack, although location and target were not clear."

An Al Qaeda informant "positively identified several of the September 11 hijackers as known Bin Ladin associates from photo spreads and possibly recognized other additional hijackers as well."

"All source intelligence reporting indicates that Bin Ladin and senior lieutenants had advance knowledge of the operational planning and timing for the attacks. Specific warnings went out to selected Bin Ladin confidents in Afghanistan and elsewhere to move to safe havens in anticipation of an immediate U.S. response following the attacks."

The document lists several key figures involved in the 9/11 attack, but notably fails to identify the plot's mastermind and operational commander, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed -- despite several references to the 1995 Bojinka plot, in which Mohammed conspired with his nephew Ramzi Yousef to execute a massive attack using civilian airliners.

Click here to read the briefing document

Labels: 9-11, INTELFILES, State-Department

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, Jan. 1, 2003 to Dec. 31, 2003

1/8/2003: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas

1/8/2003: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas (unredacted)

1/16/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Derar Mohammed Saleh

2/4/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Shareef Abdulmuttaleb El-Arbi

2/4/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Shareef Abdulmuttaleb El-Arbi (less redacted)

2/4/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Shareef Abdulmuttaleb El-Arbi (different redactions)

2/2003: FBI Secret Report, "The 11 September Hijacker Cell Model"

3/19/2003: FBI Information Control Document, ADENBOM

3/19/2003: FBI Information Control Document, ADENBOM (second version)

3/19/2003: FBI Information Control Document, Redacted, Refs Hamas, Al Qaeda

4/2/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Abdulaziz Al-Roomi

4/2/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Abdulaziz Al-Roomi (second version)

4/2/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Abdulaziz Al-Roomi (third version)

7/18/2003: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Al Qaeda and Conflict Diamonds

7/18/2003: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Al Qaeda and Conflict Diamonds (version 2)

8/18/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of Interrogation, Interview of Omar Al Bayoumi

9/17/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of Interrogation, Interview of Omar Al Bayoumi

9/17/2003: FBI FD-302, Record of Interrogation, Interview of Omar Al Bayoumi (version 2)

9/22/2003: FBI Information Control Document, Rayed Mohammed Abdullah

10/16/2003: FBI Information Control Document, Hamdan Ghareeb Al-Shalawi

11/14/2003: FBI Chronology of Hijackers' Activities

11/17/2003: FBI Summary of Abdelghani Mzoudi Proceedings

12/4/2003: FBI Transcript of Flight 93 Cockpit Recorder

12/5/2003: FBI Summary of Abdelghani Mzoudi Proceedings

12/5/2003: FBI Summary of Abdelghani Mzoudi Proceedings (2)

12/5/2003: FBI Summary of Abdelghani Mzoudi Proceedings (3)

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, FBI, Hijackers, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, Memorandum For The Record, Commission Interviews

12/3/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Charles Freeman, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Keywords: Muslim World League, Afghanistan

12/5/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Tom Furey, former consul general to Saudi Arabia

Keywords: Visa Express program, passport fraud

12/9/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with John Hamre, former Deputy Defense Secretary

Keywords: East African Embassy Bombings, Osama Bin Laden, WMD, Richard Clarke


9/3/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Jamie Gorelick

1/9/2004: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Jamie Gorelick

1/13/2004: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with Jamie Gorelick

Keywords: INS, Justice Department, "The Wall Memo"

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, INS, INTELFILES, Jamie-Gorelick, Richard-Clarke, Saudi-Arabia, Visa

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, Memorandum For The Record, FBI Interviews. Part 1

10/29/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with FBI agent

Terrorism financing investigations, lack of formal coordination between FBI task forces

11/05/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with FBI agent

Investigation of hijacker associate(s)

11/05/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with FBI agent Peter Brust

9/11 Command Post, material witness deported

01/06/2004: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with FBI agent Robert Clymer

Investigation of Ziad Jarrah activities in Las Vegas

01/06/2004: 9/11 Commission Memorandum For The Record, interview with FBI agents

Investigation of whether Mohammed Atta visited Hoover dam

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, FBI, Hani-Hanjour, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Mohammed-Atta, Ziad-Jarrah

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Descriptions of U.S. Border Security Programs, TIP, PISCES

10/3/2002: Description of U.S. Terrorist Interdiction Program

2/9/2002: Description of Personal Identification Secure Comparison and
Evaluation System (PISCES), terrorist watchlisting program

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, Border-Security, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, Memorandum For The Record, Commission Interviews

The following interview pertains to counterterrorism during the 1990s and Clinton Administration efforts against Al Qaeda:

1/7/2004, 9/11 Commission Memorandum for the record, Interview with Madeleine Albright

The following interviews were conducted by the 9/11 Commission and pertain to Airline Security:

11/18/2003: 9/11 Commission Memorandum for the record, Interview with American Airlines Captain Don Dillman

11/19/2003, 9/11 Commission Memorandum for the record, Interview with American Airlines employees

1/07/2004, 9/11 Commission Memorandum for the record, Interview with Timothy Ahern, American Airlines vice president of Safety, Security and Environmental

1/8/2004: 9/11 Commission Memorandum for the record, Interview with Gerard Arpey, former American Airlines executive vice president for Operations

1/8/2004: 9/11 Commission Memorandum for the record, Interview with Larry Wansley, American Airlines director of security

Labels: 9-11, 9-11-Commission, Airline-Security, Albright, INTELFILES, MFR, State-Department

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, May 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002

5/5/2002: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Rayed Mohammed Abullah

5/15/2002: CIA-FBI Joint Memorandum, Arizona Long-Term Nexus for Islamic Extremists

5/15/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Samir Abdoun

5/15/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Samir Abdoun (2)

5/24/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Qualid Moncef Benromane

5/15/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, interview at Santa Monica jail

6/4/2002: FBI Information Control Document, Phoenix

6/05/2002: FBI Summary of Information, Zakaria Moustapha Soubra

6/6/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Nancy and Ronald May (victims' families)

6/10/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Eyad Alrababah

6/10/2002: FBI Record, Manila Air, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad colleges

6/11/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, re: Todd Beamer phone calls

6/17/2002: FBI Information Control Document, Khaled A. Shoukry

6/17/2002: FBI Information Control Document, Khaled A. Shoukry

6/21/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, C. Lee Hanson (victims' families)

6/30/2002: FBI Information Control Document, Dar Al

7/2/2002: FBI Fax, "inflammatory language"

7/2/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Ashraf Nasri Suboh

7/25/2002: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Hamed Hamdan Al-Sulami

8/1/2002: FBI Action Memorandum, Hamed Al-Sulami

8/1/2002: FBI Action Memorandum, Hamed Al-Sulami

8/6/2002: FBI Information Control Sheet, San Diego hijacker leads

8/6/2002: FBI Information Control Sheet, Grand Jury Information, PENTTBOMB

8/26/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Samuel G. Coombs

9/4/2002: FBI Information Control Sheet, Fahad Al-Thumairy

9/11/2002: FBI Information Control Sheet, "Operation Exchange," Oslo

FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, name redacted (victims' families)

9/14/2002: FBI Information Control Sheet, Riyadh Lead

10/4/2002: FBI FD-302, Record of interrogation, Ahmad Ahmad

10/8/2002: FBI Information Control Sheet, UBL/Al Qaeda (entirely redacted)

10/9/2002, FBI Report, Connections of San Diego PENTTBOMB Suspects to the Government of Saudi Arabia

10/25/2002: FBI Information Control Sheet, Fahad Al-Thumairy

10/25/2002: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Diah Saeed Thabet

11/8/2002: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Al Qaeda

11/8/2002: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Fahad Salem Al-Wahedi

11/16/2002: FBI Secret Memorandum, Rayed Mohammed Abdullah

11/20/2002: FBI Information Control Sheet, Links between hijackers and former US Navy members

12/2/2002: FBI Secret Memorandum, Mohamed Ibrahim Aliter

12/4/2002: FBI Secret Memorandum, L.A. leads related to Al Qaeda

12/4/2002: FBI Secret Memorandum, L.A. leads related to Al Qaeda

Labels: 9-11, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Saudi-Arabia

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

June 2001: U.S. Warned Of Impending Terrorist Attack Coming From Afghanistan

New 9/11 documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal: Less than three months before September 11, Secretary of State Colin Powell warned the Taliban that American intelligence had "high confidence" that "Afghan-based and other operatives are now planning on carrying out attacks against Americans." Powell's warning was conveyed to the Taliban by U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan William B. Milam, who specifically discussed Osama bin Laden with the Taliban's representative Abdul Salam Zaeef.

Full Story

6/27/2001: State Dept. cable, threats to U.S. by Bin Laden

6/29/2001: State Dept. cable, threats to U.S. by Bin Laden

7/5/2001: State Dept. cable, meeting with Saudi Prince Abdullah

Labels: 9-11, Afghanistan, INTELFILES, Osama-Bin-Laden, Taliban

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, Jan. 1, 2002 to April 30, 2002

FD-302 reports listed here are interviews of the person named, except as noted.

1/8/2002: FBI, Memorandum Captioned Ziyat Kharfan

1/15/2002: FBI, FD-302, Hotels used by hijackers

1/15/2002: FBI, FD-302, Hotels used by hijackers (2)

1/15/2002: FBI, FD-302, Hotels used by hijackers (3)

1/15/2002: FBI, Memo to FBI Legate in Saudi Arabia concerning Bandar Abdul Khair Al Hazmi

1/15/2002: FBI, FD-302, Hotels used by Hijackers (references to Omar Bayoumi)

1/15/2002: FBI Communication, Checking visitor list for unnamed prisoner at MCC Federal Prison, New York

1/28/2002: FBI, Letterhead Memorandum, Investigation of Ali Ahmad Mesdaq

2/19/2002: FBI, Memorandum, Investigation of Pilot Training in Arizona

2/19/2002: FBI Summary of Grand Jury Information

1/28/2002: FBI Document, PENTBOM, Redacted in Whole

3/7/2002: FBI, FD-302, Qualid Moncef Benomrane

3/7/2002: FBI, FD-302, Subject name redacted (likely Benomrane)

3/13/2002: FBI, FD-302, Qualid Moncef Benomrane

3/13/2002: FBI, FD-302, Subject name redacted (Saudi national)

3/27/2002: FBI, FD-302, Subject name redacted (victim family interview)

4/1/2002: FBI, FD-302, Report pertaining to alleged call from United 93

3/7/2002: FBI, FD-302 (working), Rodney McAlear (pilot training)

4/11/2002: FBI, Leads from hijacker's cars, pilot training

4/12/2002: FBI, FD-302, FNU Milton (pilot training)

4/15/2002: FBI, Letterhead Memorandum, Omar Al Bayoumi/Al Baraka

4/15/2002: FBI, Letterhead Memorandum, Omar Al Bayoumi/Al Baraka

4/29/2002: FBI, FD-302, 9/11 Victim Phone Call

Labels: 9-11, Bayoumi, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Raissi

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, Oct. 1, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2001

FD-302 reports listed here are interviews of the person named, except as noted.

10/1/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Ramez Tawfik Noaman (1)

10/1/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Ramez Tawfik Noaman (2)

10/2/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Julie Sweeny (victim's family)

10/3/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Abu Jandal (former bin Laden bodyguard)

10/3/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Abu Jandal (2)

10/3/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Abu Jandal (3)

10/3/01: FBI Communication, PENTTBOMB, Omar Al Bayoumi

10/6/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Jimi Nouri

10/8/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of (name redacted), San Diego investigation

10/8/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Yazeed Al Salmi (San Diego hijackers associate, Hani Hanjour associate, interview related to proffer)

10/12/01: FBI Memorandum, Sawyer Aviation records

10/17/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Tina Beth Arnold (Sawyer Aviation)

10/17/01: Redacted document re: San Diego investigation

10/17/01: Redacted document re: San Diego investigation (2)

10/17/01: Redacted document re: San Diego investigation (3)

10/17/01: Redacted document re: San Diego investigation (4)

10/21/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Samir Abdoun

10/23/01: FBI memorandum, Anwar Aulaqi

10/23/01: FBI interview requested in Yemen pertaining to California investigation

10/23/01: FBI memorandum to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, redacted

10/28/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Malek Mohamed Seif

10/28/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Samir Abdoun

10/28/01: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Samir Abdoun (2)

11/11/01: FBI memorandum re: British reporter inquiry

Labels: 9-11, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Todd Beamer's Cell Phone

A couple of people have e-mailed me now about the item linked below, so I thought I would just save us all some time and briefly post my thoughts about the issues it raises.

This 9/29/2001 FBI lead sheet details phone calls made in relation to the cell phone of Todd Beamer, a passenger on United 93, the airplane hijacked on September 11 that crashed in Pennsylvania. Beamer is famously remembered for reporting that the passengers were planning to storm the cockpit and for issuing the call to that action: "Let's roll."

Todd Beamer cell phone log

The document is confusing. At first glance it appears to list calls that were made by Beamer using the cell phone. What raised questions with my correspondents is the fact that the log shows almost 20 calls after United 93 crashed. All of the calls related to a number in Woodbridge, NJ, and all of them are listed as exactly one minute (suggesting the call was not completed).

My best guess here is that the log represents calls to Beamer's cell, in which case the post-crash calls might have been someone with the phone company or the government pinging to locate the phone in the wreckage, or frantic calls from a friend or family member who was trying to ascertain whether Beamer had been on the flight. The latter theory might make more sense, since the calls start pretty early.

More confusingly, there is a call shortly before the flight took off listed as an "incoming call" with the "number called" being the same number that the document identifies as Beamer's cell phone. (This could be a call to listen to voicemail, or a call to voicemail paired with using the "reply to message" function that most voicemail offers.)

Even if you're of a conspiratorial bent on this issue (which I am not), it's difficult to believe the FBI would release a document showing that Beamer's cell phone was in use after the crash. The 9/11 Commission cites the document but doesn't comment on the post-crash entries.

I'm open to hearing an explanation. If you have actual and specific knowledge of how to read this document, feel free to drop me a line and I'll update this posting.

If you're just guessing, well, you're welcome to speculate and/or investigate-and-publish away, but this post represents the sum total of my insight on the document at this time, and I don't currently have a lot of time to devote to this (either in terms of investigating further or debating it via e-mail). If I get better information, I will post it here. Happy hunting...

Labels: 9-11, INTELFILES, Todd-Beamer, United-93

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, September 13-30, 2001

FD-302 reports listed here are interviews of the person named, except as noted.

9/13/2001: FBI FD-302, Winston Courtney Sadler

9/14/2001: FBI FD-302, Joseph Deluca

9/14/2001: FBI FD-302, Joseph Deluca (second version)

9/14/2001: FBI FD-302, Lori Lynn Keyton

9/14/2001: FBI FD-302, Michael Woodward

9/14/2001: FBI FD-302, Michael Woodward (second version)

9/14/2001: FBI FD-302, Office of Ted Olsen

9/14/2001: FBI FD-302, Office of Ted Olsen (second version)

9/14/2001: FBI FD-302, Office of Ted Olsen (third version)

9/14/2001: FBI, Investigation of Lauren Grandcolas Voicemail

9/14/2001: FBI, Investigation of Lauren Grandcolas Voicemail

9/15/2001: FBI FD-302, Anwar Aulaqi

9/15/2001: FBI FD-302, Khaled Alkayed

9/15/2001: FBI FD-302, re: Omer Bakarbashat

9/15/2001: FBI FD-302, Philip M. Rosenzweig

9/15/2001: FBI FD-302, Jennifer L. Stangel

9/16/2001: FBI FD-302, Craig Marquis

9/16/2001: FBI FD-302, George Harb

9/16/2001: FBI FD-302, Ivan Chirivella

9/16/2001: FBI FD-302, Ivan Chirivella (second version)

9/15/2001: FBI FD-302, Marion Britton

9/15/2001: FBI FD-302, Rayed Mohammed Abdullah

9/15/2001: FBI Bulletin, information on Hani Hanjour and Nawaf Al-Hazmi in Phoenix

9/17/2001: FBI FD-302, Amro Abdelazim Hassan

9/17/2001: FBI FD-302, James Charles McRae

9/17/2001: FBI FD-302, Omer Bakarbashat (two versions)

9/17/2001: FBI Transcript of emergency call

9/17/2001: FBI translated interview, Aysel Senguen (girlfriend of Ziad Jarrah)

9/19/2001: FBI FD-302, Anwar Aulaqi

9/19/2001: FBI FD-302, Jimi Nouri

9/19/2001: FBI FD-302, Mark Kendall Bingham

9/19/2001: FBI FD-302, Mark Kendall Bingham (two versions)

9/20/2001: FBI Information on British individuals arrested in connection with 9/11

9/20/2001: FBI Information on e-mail related to emergency call, 9/11

9/20/2001: FBI FD-302, Unidentified person re: Marion Britton

9/21/2001: FBI FD-302, Gail Jawahir

9/21/2001: FBI FD-302, UI person re: Madeline Sweeney

9/22/2001: FBI FD-302, Modhar Mohamed Abdullah

9/22/2001: FBI FD-302, Mourad Jdaini

9/22/2001: FBI FD-302, re: Todd Beamer

9/22/2001: FBI Information re: Todd Beamer

9/22/2001: FBI Information re: Marion Britton

9/23/2001: FBI FD-302, Mark Kendall Bingham

9/24/2001: FBI FD-302, Interview with Confidential Informant

9/25/2001: FBI FD-302, re: Lauren Grandcolas

9/25/2001: FBI FD-302, re: Lauren Grandcolas (second version)

9/26/2001: FBI Letterhead Memorandum re: Anwar Aulaqi

9/28/2001: FBI FD-302, Gail Jawahir

9/28/2001: FBI FD-302, Gail Jawahir (second version)

9/28/2001: FBI FD-302, Louise Sweeney

9/28/2001: FBI FD-302, Louise Sweeney (second version)

9/29/2001: FBI FD-302, information on Todd Beamer phone calls

9/30/2001: FBI FD-302, re: Linda Gronlund

9/2001: FBI transcript of victim voicemail message

Labels: 9-11, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, September 12, 2001

Note: There are multiple entries with phone calls from the same flights. Unless otherwise noted, each of these documents is a separate report.

9/12/2001: FBI Communication, American 77 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, American 11 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, American 11 Phone Call, Betty Ong

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, Transcript, American 11, Betty Ong Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, Transcript, American 11, Betty Ong Call, Second Version

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, Transcript, American 11, Betty Ong Call, Third Version

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, Topic Redacted

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, American 11 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, American 11 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI FD-302, United 93 Phone Call

9/12/2001: FBI Summary/Timeline, Events of September 11

Labels: 9-11, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Victims

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, September 11, 2001

9/11/2001: FD-302, phone call to air traffic control

9/11/2001: Betty Ong, air traffic control, phone call transcript

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Deena Lynne Burnett (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Lee Hanson (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Lee Hanson (name redacted version) (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Lisa Jefferson (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Lisa Jefferson Beamer (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Philip G. Bradshaw (redacted)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Philip G. Bradshaw (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Theodore Olsen (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Theodore Olsen (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Unidentified Person re: Todd Beamer call

Interview with Unidentified Person re: Todd Beamer call

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Unidentified Persons (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Unidentified Person (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: FD-302, Interview with Unidentified Person (re: phone call from hijacked flight)

9/11/2001: Record of telephone calls with airline employees

Labels: 9-11, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Victims

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2001-09-15: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Anwar Aulaqi

Last week, the Washington Post reported that the FBI "now" believes radical imam Anwar Aulaqi -- who befriended 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi -- knowingly aided Al Qaeda. The investigative background for this belief was substantial and isn't exactly new. INTELWIRE has obtained several FBI investigative documents related to Aulaqi, including the document linked below:

9/15/2001: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Anwar Aulaqi

Labels: 9-11, Anwar-Aulaqi, Bayoumi, Dar-El-Hijra, Hazmi, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Midhar

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2001-10-03: FBI Communication, PENTBOMB, Omar Al Bayoumi

Last week, the Washington Post reported that the FBI "now" believes radical imam Anwar Aulaqi -- who befriended 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi -- knowingly aided Al Qaeda. The investigative background for this belief was substantial and isn't exactly new. INTELWIRE has obtained several FBI investigative documents related to Aulaqi, including the document linked below:

10/3/2001: FBI Communication, PENTBOMB, Omar Al Bayoumi

Labels: 9-11, Anwar-Aulaqi, Bayoumi, Hazmi, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Midhar

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2001-10-23: FBI Communication, Anwar Aulaqi, Dar El Hijra mosque

Last week, the Washington Post reported that the FBI "now" believes radical imam Anwar Aulaqi -- who befriended 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi -- knowingly aided Al Qaeda. The investigative background for this belief was substantial and isn't exactly new. INTELWIRE has obtained several FBI investigative documents related to Aulaqi, including the document linked below:

10/23/2001: FBI Communication, Anwar Aulaqi, Dar El Hijra mosque

Labels: 9-11, Anwar-Aulaqi, Dar-El-Hijra, Hazmi, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Midhar

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2001-10-03: FBI Status of Investigation, Omar Al Bayoumi

Last week, the Washington Post reported that the FBI "now" believes radical imam Anwar Aulaqi -- who befriended 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi -- knowingly aided Al Qaeda. The investigative background for this belief was substantial and isn't exactly new. INTELWIRE has obtained several FBI investigative documents related to Aulaqi, including the document linked below:

10/3/2001: FBI Status of Investigation, Omar Al Bayoumi

Labels: 9-11, Anwar-Aulaqi, Bayoumi, Hazmi, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Midhar

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2001-09-26: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Anwar Aulaqi

Last week, the Washington Post reported that the FBI "now" believes radical imam Anwar Aulaqi -- who befriended 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi -- knowingly aided Al Qaeda. The investigative background for this belief was substantial and isn't exactly new. INTELWIRE has obtained several FBI investigative documents related to Aulaqi, including the document linked below:

9/26/2001: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Anwar Aulaqi

Labels: 9-11, Anwar-Aulaqi, Bayoumi, Dar-El-Hijra, Hazmi, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Midhar

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, January through September 11, 2001

1/4/2001: Summary of meeting with Yemeni officials, re: Cole Bombing

1/10/2001: Communication, photo book for witnesses, re: Cole Bombing

1/16/2001: Communication, sensitive source, Pakistan

1/31/2001: FD-302, interrogation of Fahd Al Quso (Cole Bombing)

2/3/2001: FD-302, interrogation of Fahd Al Quso (Cole Bombing)

3/19/2001: FD-302, interrogation of confidential source (proffer agreement)

3/19/2001: FD-302, interrogation of confidential source (proffer agreement)

4/13/2001: Bulletin, attacks planned by Al Qaeda, Abu Zubaidah

5/7/2001: FBI "Daily UBL/Radical Fundamentalist Threat Update" (threat to New York from walk-in informant)

6/22/2001: FBI "Daily UBL/Radical Fundamentalist Threat Update" (possible near-term strike on U.S. interests)

7/2/2001: FBI National Threat Warning, Terrorism (chatter, possible attacks abroad)

7/16/2001 to 8/1/2001: Terrorism threats

7/16/2001: Protective Services Working Group, briefing with Michael Rolince

7/20/2001: FBI "Daily UBL/Radical Fundamentalist Threat Update" (includes references to Bojinka, Abdul Hakim Murad)

8/1/2001: FBI "Daily UBL/Radical Fundamentalist Threat Update" (threat from walk-in informant, "red mercury")

7/2/2001: FBI National Threat Warning, Terrorism (anniversary of East African embassy bombings

Labels: 9-11, Cole-Bombing, East-African-Embassy-Bombings, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2002-02-19: FBI Request For Information, Lotfi Raissi, Hani Hanjour

Lotfi Raissi, an Algerian living in the U.K. has been the subject of a great deal of media coverage after being accused and subsequently exonerated of involement in the 9/11 attacks. This document, and others released to INTELWIRE under the Freedom of Information Act, outlines some of the reasons the FBI originally became interested in Raissi.

2002-02-19: FBI Request For Information, Lotfi Raissi, Hani Hanjour

Labels: 9-11, Flight-Schools, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Raissi

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2002-04-15: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Omar Al Bayoumi Contacts With Saudi Government

This FBI memo details the phone records of Omar Al Bayoumi, a Saudi citizen who assisted hijackers Khalid Al-Midhar and Nawaf Al-Hazmi in relocating to San Diego in early 2000. Bayoumi helped them find an apartment and pay their rent and introduced them to people in the local community.

Bayoumi also kept in close contact with his apparent employer, the Saudi government. The exact nature of Bayoumi's employment has remained unclear, but his close associates suspected him of being a Saudi intelligence officer.

According to the memo, local mosque members "believed there was always a covert employee of the Saudi Arabian government stationed at the mosque," and that Bayoumi may have been that person.

Bayoumi was "employed by the Saudi government to monitor the activities of Saudi dissidents that resided in the U.S.," the memo states, according to "a prominent Islamic leader in San Diego."

Other FBI interviewees said Bayoumi was "an employee of the Saudi Arabian Government (who) traveled to mosques throughout the world to monitor and observe Saudi citizens for signs of dissident behavior."

Another source said Bayoumi "was connected with a Saudi Arabian company that is equivalent to the Federal Aviation Administration," and said he was paid $5,000 a month to be a student.

The memo below details Bayoumi's phone contacts with the Saudi government over slightly less than two months in 2000, around the time the hijackers arrived in San Diego. Phone records revealed Bayoumi called local Saudi officials, including the consulate in San Diego, 34 times. He called Saudi officials in Washington D.C. 141 times in the same period, according to the memo -- more than twice a day on average.

Calls appear to be directed to the Saudi Cultural Mission, the Saudi Education Mission, the Saudi Embassy in Washington, the Saudi Consulate in San Diego, the Saudi National Guard, and the Saudi Islamic Affairs Department.

Although the notation is unclear due to FBI redactions, it also appears Bayoumi called a U.S. Department of State diplomat.

Extensive portions of the document were redacted by the FBI, including substantial portions of FBI interviews with Saudi government officials who had contact with Bayoumi.

2002-04-15: FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Omar Al Bayoumi Contacts With Saudi Government

Labels: 9-11, Bayoumi, Hazmi, INTELFILES, Midhar, Saudi-Arabia

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

11/14/2003: FBI Hijackers Chronology

Those researching the 9/11 attacks will find few documents more useful than the FBI's painstaking chronology of the hijacker's activities.

Starting with their birth, this 2003 timeline traces every documented movement of the 19 hijackers all the way through September 11.

Much of the document is redacted, and the amount of detail increases exponentially after the hijackers entered the U.S. -- scaling down to the level of individual ATM transactions. Even with its limitations and redactions, however, this is a priceless research aid.

11/14/2003: FBI Chronology of Hijacker's Movements

(Note: This is a large file.)

Labels: 9-11, Hijackers, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

9/11 Commission, FBI Source Documents, Chronological, 1995 to 2000

5/11/1995: FD-302, interrogation of Abdul Hakim Murad (comments)

8/31/1998: FBI interrogation of Mohamed Sadiq Odeh (East African Embassy Bombings) (comments)

9/9/1998: FD-302, interrogation of Mohamed Rashed Daoud Al-Owhali (East African Embassy Bombings)

7/8/1999: Summary of Information, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed

9/16/1999: FD-302, confidential informant, Al Qaeda in Africa

9/23/1999: FD-302, Confidential Informant, Somalia issues

12/29/1999: Bulletin, Millennium Bombing plot

Labels: 9-11, Bojinka, Cole-Bombing, East-African-Embassy-Bombings, INTELFILES, KSM

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Documents Cited In 9/11 End Notes

The following package of documents was obtained by INTELWIRE.com from the FBI under the Freedom of Information Act. If you are reporting from these documents, please credit INTELWIRE.com and link to this page or preferably to the INTELWIRE.com home page (http://www.intelwire.com).

The documents below were released in response to a FOIA request for any FBI documents cited in the end notes of the Final Report of the 9/11 Commission. The documents cover a wide variety of topics, including the movements of the hijackers over more than 10 years, people who associated with the hijackers in the U.S., FBI interviews with the victims, transcripts of phone calls to the hijacked flights, intelligence obtained by overseas agencies and much, much more.

Documents are listed here according to the chapter of the 9/11 Report in which they appeared. The package totals more than 1,700 pages and may be the largest online repository of 9/11 source documents on the Web.

Additional FOIA requests were posed to the State Department and CIA. The CIA refused the entire request, which is under appeal; the State Department is still processing documents. Those documents will also be published here on receipt.

These documents will also be posted individually and chronologically, with additional comment and analysis as appropriate, over the next several months. Researchers, authors and documentary producers wishing to license or commission specific research based on this document can contact INTELWIRE's J.M. Berger through this site.

Documents Cited in the End Notes of the Final Report of the 9/11 Commission:

Chapter 1: We Have Some Planes

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Chapter 2: The Foundation of the New Terrorism

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Chapter 3: Counterterrorism Evolves

Part 1

Part 2


Chapter 5: Al Qaeda Aims At The American Homeland

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Chapter 6: From Threat To Threat

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Chapter 7: The Attack Looms

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Chapter 8: The System Was Blinking Red

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Labels: 9-11, Hijackers, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2001-10-03: FBI Communication, associates of Omar Al-Bayoumi

The San Diego field office's investigation of Omar Al-Bayoumi yielded a great deal of data on his time at the Parkwood Apartment complex, where hijackers Al-Midhar and Al-Hazmi moved after arriving in San Diego. Telephone connections put Bayoumi within three degrees of separation of the bin Laden family on one hand and blind Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman on the other, but the FBI's redactions of this document make the number of degrees and their intensity unclear.

Among other things, this document states:

One resident of the complex, linked to al-Bayoumi, was a Saudi citizen who hosted a party for "The Blind Sheikh" Omar Abdel Rahman in October 1992. The same resident was "determined to have known Osama Bin Laden's family in Saudi Arabia and to have telephonic contact with members of Bin Laden's family who are currently in the U.S."

A telephone link also connected a resident with Anwar Aulaqi, then-leader of the Dar El-Hijra mosque in
Falls Church, Virginia and "determined... to have been the spiritual leader for hijacker Nawaf Al-Hazmi."

Al-Midhar and Al-Hazmi briefly lived with Bayoumi before moving into the nearby Parkwood Apartment complex, where Bayoumi also moved.

"According to the apartment manager of the Parkwood Apartments, Al-Bayoumi occasionally paid rent for Al-Hazmi and Al-Mihdhar."

Evidence was found supporting the possibility that Bayoumi was affiliated with the Saudi intelligence service. The FBI redacted details of that evidence.

Another individual who apparently moved into the Parkwood complex may have "succeeded Omar AI-Bayoumi and may be undertaking activities on behalf of the Government of Saudi Arabia."

Bayoumi or one of his associates "has had telephonic contact with Anwar N. Aulaqi," the memo reads. "Aulaqi is the Imam of a mosque in Falls Church, Virginia and is believed to have been the spiritual leader of hijacker Nawaf AI-Hazmi."

Two versions of the document were released. Each has slightly different redactions by the FBI.

FBI Communication, associates of Omar Al-Bayoumi Version 1

FBI Communication, associates of Omar Al-Bayoumi Version 2

Labels: 9-11, Bayoumi, Hazmi, INTELFILES, Midhar, Saudi-Arabia

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2001-10-08: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Isamu Dyson, aka Cayson Bin Don

Record of interrogation for an associate of Omar Al-Bayoumi, a Saudi who assisted 9/11 hijackers Khalid Al-Midhar and Nawaf Al-Hazmi in relocating to San Diego. Associates of Bayoumi speculated that he worked for the Saudi intellgience service.

Bayoumi and an associate (Dyson, whose name has been redacted) visited the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles (on Feb. 1, 2000), just before meeting Al-Midhar and Al-Hazmi for the first time (a meeting Bayoumi claimed was accidental).

"Soon a man came out and greeted [Bayoumi]. [The associate] described the man as being in his 40s, approximately 5' 8" in height with a black/grey beard down to his chest, who was wearing a suit. It appeared that [Bayoumi] and the man from the consulate knew each other. It was obvious they had met before." The two met behind closed doors for about 30 minutes.

Bayoumi picked the restaurant where he "accidentally" met the hijackers. Bayoumi told his traveling companion he had dined there before, but he incorrectly took them to a cafe with a similar name (that did not serve food). Eventually they found the right place down the street.

The hijackers entered the restaurant. The associate described his impression of the meeting as "coincidental" and said he could not recall who intiated the conversation. Some of the conversation was in Arabic, which the associate did not understand. Bayoumi offered to help the hijackers "if they liked San Diego." The hijackers drank chai tea.

A party was held at the apartment Bayoumi helped Al-Midhar and Al-Hazmi secure. The party was videotaped, the associate said, although "some attendees were sensitive about not being filmed." (The party is further discussed in subsequent documents.)

Bayoumi "spent a lot of time at Al-Hazmi and Al-Mihdhar's apartment."

2001-10-08: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Isamu Dyson, aka Cayson Bin Don

Labels: 9-11, Bayoumi, Hazmi, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Midhar, Saudi-Arabia

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2001-10-21: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Samir Abdoun

Abdoun was at his apartment with Yazeed al Salmi on September 15, 2001. Salmi told Abdoun "I knew they were going to do something, that is why I got married." According to the document, "AL-SALMI told ABDOUN he was joking, then he left the room."

Salmi had been a housemate to Nawaf Al-Hazmi in July 2000. According to the 9/11 Commission report, Chapter 7, "Salmi purchased $4,000 in traveler's checks at a bank in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On September 5, Hazmi deposited $1,900 of the traveler's checks into his bank account, after withdrawing the same amount in cash. It is possible that Hazmi was simply cashing the traveler's checks for a friend. We do not know; Salmi claims not to remember the transaction. After 9/11, Salmi reportedly confided to Mohdar Abdullah that he had previously known terrorist pilot Hani Hanjour. After living in the same house with Hazmi for about a month, Salmi moved to the La Mesa apartment shared by Abdullah and others."

2001-10-21: FBI FD-302, Interrogation of Samir Abdoun

Labels: 9-11, Hazmi, Hijackers, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

1999-07-08: FBI, summary of information, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed

There are two versions of this document, which contain different information. The summary is a rare document indicating the FBI's interest in Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, prior to the September 11 attacks. KSM is considered the primary mastermind of the attacks. He was secretly indicted for his role in Ramzi Yousef's Bojinka plot in January 1996, but the FBI did not publicly acknowledge his existence until 1998.

It's interesting to note the pointless redactions made to these documents prior to their release by the FBI. For instance, the names of the other Bojinka plotters (Ramzi Yousef, Abdul Hakim Murad and Wali Khan Amin Shah) have been redacted even though they are well in the public domain after a highly visible trial. The redactions are a typical example of the FBI's reluctance to release information, even when there is no legal or common-sense reason to withhold.

1999-07-08: FBI, summary of information, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed

1999-07-08: FBI, summary of information, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed

Labels: 9-11, Bojinka, INTELFILES, Khalid-Shaikh-Mohammed, KSM, Ramzi-Yousef

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2003-02-??: FBI report, The September 11 Hijacker Cell Model

This formerly classified 10-page document outlines the cell structure for the 9/11 plot, with a strong focus on methodology and how the plot was similar and different from previous al Qaeda efforts.

2003-02-??: FBI report, The September 11 Hijacker Cell Model

Labels: 9-11, Hijackers, INTELFILES, Terrorist-Cells

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

2002-06-10: FBI, request for information, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed college attendance

As many people know, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed attended college in North Carolina during the 1980s. What is much less well known is the fact that he applied to several other colleges, including in Kansas, Connecticut and Oklahoma City. This document instructs FBI field offices to investigate whether those other schools had any pertinent records.

2002-06-10: FBI, request for information, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed college attendance

Labels: 9-11, INTELFILES, Khalid-Shaikh-Mohammed, KSM

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink