More Detail on 'Michael Jackson's Neverland Favorites'

Previous reports stemming from the FBI's release of files on entertainer Michael Jackson led to speculation that a child pornography tape titled "Michael Jackson's Neverland Favorites, An All-Boy Anthology" was obtained during a search of one of Jackson's homes.

A supplemental release received today from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement indicates the tape has no direct connection to Jackson, but was obtained during an unrelated child pornography prosecution in Florida. According to forensic analysis, the tape contained no original material and had been remastered from previous recordings.

ICE files on Michael Jackson

Labels: INTELFILES, Off-Topic

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

U.S. Air Force Contracts With Binladin Group For Communications Security

The U.S. Air Force paid more than $38 million in federal contracts to Baud Telecommunications, a subsidiary of the Saudi Binladin Group, since 2001. More than half of those contracts are dated after the attacks of September 11 -- and the contracts continued through 2007.

Air Force Contracts With Binladin Group, 2001-2007

The majority of the contracts deal with security issues. About $21 million of the contracts were to provide communications security equipment and components for the Air Force's Electronic Systems Center. Another contract provided $17 million to the same office for modifications of communication equipment, including about $500,000 for cryptology equipment.

The Army had two contracts with Baud prior to September 11, worth a bit more than $2 million, but no contracts after the attack. Prior to 2000, the Army, Air Force and Navy had contracts with Binladen Telecommunications, which changed its name to Baud in 1999 after Osama bin Laden's role in global terrorism became widely known.

Labels: Air-Force, Binladin-Group, INTELFILES, Osama-Bin-Laden

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Hal Turner Court Records

A mistrial has been declared in the case of Hal Turner, the white supremacist radio host accused of inciting violence against law enforcement figures and judges. The mistrial due to deadlocked jury does not appear to hinge on the accusation that Turner was an FBI informant, but much digital ink has been spilled on this subject during the course of the trial. Here are some of the key documents.

Hal Turner criminal complaint

Hal Turner indictment

The following transcripts are related to Turner's claim of being an FBI informant, including the government's concession that the radio host had "intermittent" contact with the FBI.

Transcript of July 28, 2009

Transcript of August 10, 2009

Affidavit of Phyllis Turner (claiming her husband worked for the FBI)

Labels: Hal-Turner, INTELFILES, white-supremacists

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Tarek Mehanna Superseding Indictment and Evidentiary Proffer

Two new documents filed today in Boston in the case of alleged jihadist Tarek Mehanna. Updated analysis can be found on AmericanJihadists.com.

According to an evidentiary proffer:

MEHANNA also sought to provide material support to al Qa’ida and other terrorist organizations by translating and distributing videos and text that were intended to inspire others to participate in jihad.

Among those translations, the proffer alleges, was a document called "39 Ways to Serve and Participate in Jihad." An online correspondent of Mehanna said the work was establishing him as "Al Qaeda's English wing" and "Al Qaeda in Iraq's media wing."

Mehanna later asked that a third party post the work so that his name wouldn't be associated with it, according to the proffer.

Mehanna also translated videos related to terrorist acts by Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the emir of Al Qaeda in Iraq, the proffer alleges.

The proffer relates the contents of an instant messaging exchange between Mehanna and another individual, which was recovered from Mehanna's computer. The exchange features the two men joking about the videotaped beheading of Nicholas Berg by Zarqawi.

MEHANNA: we can have a movie night

DS: What movie? ... "State of the Ummah"?

MEHANNA: ni ... no ... Heads Up

DS: lol ... Heads Up?

MEHANNA: hehe joke

DS: Does it star Mr. Z?

MEHANNA: yes

DS: it shoud be Heads Off

MEHANNA: hehe yeah

Mehanna made jokes about the September 11 attacks, the proffer alleges, and went with two friends to visit Ground Zero.

Tarek Mehanna Superseding Indictment

Tarek Mehanna Evidentiary Proffer

Labels: INTELFILES, Tarek-Mehanna

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

American Jihadists

AmericanJihadists.com is a new Web site in the INTELWIRE.com family. This site will start as a document-oriented blog connecting to resources and documents on the subject of American citizens who take part in military jihad activities.

The blog will give way in 2010 to a broader and more ambitious Web site that provides detailed source material from my forthcoming book, "American Jihadists." I hope to have an update soon with details about the book release.

The topic of "American Jihadists" is fairly complex and has not received the media attention it deserves. There are dozens of cases of American citizens who have been arrested and indicted for various jihad-related activities. There are also cases in which Americans have taken part in military jihad overseas but have not been indicted and those who are not directly linked to terrorism.

AmericanJihadists.com

Labels: INTELFILES, Site-News

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Criminal Complaint on Detroit Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah

From the complaint:

The investigation has shown that Luqman Ameen Abdullah, Imam of the Masjid AI-Haqq, in Detroit, Michigan, is a highly placed leader of a nationwide radical fundamentalist Sunni group consisting primarily of African-Americans, some of whom converted to Islam while they were serving sentences in various prisons across the United States. Their primary mission is to establish a separate, sovereign Islamic state ("The Ummah") within the borders of the United States, governed by Shariah law. The Ummah is to be ruled over by Jamil Abdullah AI-Amin, formerly known as H. Rapp Brown, who is currently serving a life sentence in the Florence, Colorado Supermax for shooting two police officers in Georgia.

Luqman Adbullah was taped by an informant with a variety of interesting comments, including the following:

[U]ntil you act black and believe in that you are the leaders of mankind, you are going to be astray. If you can't please the Christians and the Jews. You cannot please them until you follow their religion. [...]

Obama is a Kafir [infidel]. McCain, all the rest of them Kufrars, are Kuffars. You can't make them a good Kafir, bad Kafir. [...]

The premise of Allah, and Islam said, "the worst of [unintelligible], the worst
Muslim is better than the best Kafir." [...]

It's impossible to for you to take and change this thing around, trying to go through it the same way. You know, like, "OK, let me become a part of it then. I'm going to change it." You cannot do that. It don't work like that. And you cannot have a non-violent revolution.

Oct. 27, 2009 Criminal Complaint, Luqman Ameen Abdullah et al.

Labels: American-Jihadists, INTELFILES, Luqman-Amin-Abdullah

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

1994 State Department Cable Referencing Al Qaeda

Earlier this year, I posted some material about the date of Al Qaeda's founding, and a corollary issue, the earliest date of a U.S. government document that mentions the name of Al Qaeda.

The document question stems from an assertion by the House and Senate Select Intelligence Committees Joint Inquiry Into September 11 that the earliest reference they could find mentioning Al Qaeda by name was late 1996 (see Report Of The Joint Inquiry, page 745).

Although the original document has not been released to the public, we know from a reference in a later document that the FBI was told the name Al Qaeda in 1993 by Ali Mohamed, a former U.S. Special Forces sergeant who had infiltrated the U.S. on behalf of Al Qaeda.

Here's a another interesting example, a State Department cable dated Feb. 2, 1994, detailing a published interview with Talaat Fouad Qasem (aka Talaat Fouad Qassem, Abu Talal Al-Qasem and Abu Talal al-Qasimy), an extremely important leader of the Islamic Group. This document is full of interesting (and possibly fanciful) claims, but here's one of the highlights:

Some of the group of Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahry went to Saudi Arabia, and he went to Peshawar. In the beginning, they were called 'The Accused In The Jihad Organization Case.' When they got acquainted with Osama Ben Laden, a wealthy Saudi who believes in the principle of Jihad, he trusted them, and they jointly started to establish the 'Base,' a guest house for those desiring to participate in the Afghan Jihad. Ever since, they named themselves The Jihad Group ("Gama'at Al-Jihad").

"The Base" is, of course, the English translation of "Al Qaeda." Given that the "Base" is referenced in quote marks in two different places in this cable, it's safe to assume the translator realized it was supposed to be a name -- but neglected to provide the original Arabic as he or she did for "The Jihad Group" just one sentence later.

At any rate, this is an interesting document both for its early reference to Al Qaeda (firmly situating it with the known terrorist group Al Jihad) and for its confirmation of other documents placing the founding of Al Qaeda as roughly concurrent to the waning years of the Afghan Jihad.

Perhaps more significantly, it also corroborates other intelligence that specifies the importance of Ayman Al-Zawahiri to Al Qaeda from day one. Qasem here indicates Zawahiri is an equal co-founder of Al Qaeda. Although many sources refer to a 1998 "official" announcement as the date of the merger between Egyptian Islamic Jihad and Al Qaeda, it's quite clear from a wide variety of sources that the two organizations were joined at the hip from Al Qaeda's earliest days.

Feb. 2, 1994 State Department cable, "ISLAMIC GROUP" SPOKESMAN OUTLINES TERRORIST STRATEGY AND ALLEGES USG "ASSURANCES" TO THE IG

Labels: Ayman-Al-Zawahiri, Egyptian-Islamic-Jihad, INTELFILES, Islamic-Group, Osama-Bin-Laden, Talaat-Fouad-Qassem

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Tarek Mehanna Complaint and Search Warrant

10/21/2009: Criminal complaint re: Tarek Mehanna

10/20/2009: Affidavit in support of search warrant re: Tarek Mehanna

12/2008: Archived copy of Tarek Mehanna's blog writings

Labels: American-Al-Qaeda, American-Jihadists, Boston, INTELFILES, Tarek-Mehanna

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Secret Service Document Describes Missing Scenes From FBI Release of Oklahoma City Bombing Videos

A Secret Service timeline of events around the Oklahoma City bombing describes video surveillance tapes that show the Ryder truck used in the terrorist attack both before and during the detonation.

The FBI last week released security camera footage of the moments after the bombing. The videotapes, which the FBI claims were not edited, do not show the Ryder Truck, McVeigh or the explosion.

The Secret Service document, dated May 1, 1995, and provided to INTELWIRE by Attorney Jesse Trentadue, describes:

"Security video [that] shows the Ryder truck pulling up to the Federal Building and then pausing (7-10 seconds) before resuming into a slot in front of the building."

"Security video tapes from the area show the truck detonation 3 minutes and 6 seconds after the suspects exited the truck"

The word "suspects" in plural refers to a witness report that two men exited the truck. It is not entirely clear from the document whether the security tape shows anyone exiting the truck. Witness reports also described a third suspect, a woman believed to have been directing the truck into position for detonation.

Timeline document (excerpt)

The videotapes were released to Trentadue under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Trentadue sued the FBI to force it to disclose information about the Oklahoma City bombing after the death of his brother, Kenneth Trentadue, in federal custody on Aug. 21, 1995. Kenneth Trentadue's death was initially declared a suicide by prison officials, but the family discovered signs of numerous injuries when preparing him for burial. The family was awarded more than $1 million after winning a wrongful death suit against the government. Trentadue believes his brother was mistaken for a suspect in the case.

For more information on Trentadue's lawsuit including documents he has obtained through his FOIA lawsuit, click here.

Labels: INTELFILES, OKBOMB, Oklahoma-City-Bombing

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Najibullah Zazi Indictment, Detention Document

9/23/2009: Najibullah Zazi indictment

This is an indictment for planned use of Weapons of Mass Destruction (in this case, bombs).

9/24/2009: Affidavit in support of detention of Najibullah Zazi

This is a much more informative document detailing why Zazi is a flight risk.

An interesting note: Zazi rented a hotel room with a stove specifically so he could cook up TATP, a fairly powerful improvised explosive.

Ramzi Yousef, working in a Manila apartment in 1995, also used a stove to prepare explosives, and TATP was found in his apartment after it was exposed.

Yousef's footprint has loomed large for years after his incarceration.

* September 11 was at least inspired by Yousef, if not wholly concocted by him.

* The 2006 London airliner bomb plot -- the reason you can't take shampoo on a plane -- involved smuggling TATP or its components onto a plane or planes. In addition to the chemical explosive coming up again, the method of smuggling and the number of targets were both extremely similar to Yousef's Bojinka plot, which would have deployed lquid explosives against a dozen U.S.-bound airliners).

* The "shoe bomb" concept used by Richard Reid is reminiscent of some of Yousef's plan for smuggling bomb components onto airplanes in the heels of his shoes. That bomb also used TATP.

* Yousef's chemical recipes and specific bomb designs continue to be distributed online through jihadi forums and at terrorist training camps.

Labels: INTELFILES, Najibullah-Zazi

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Najibullah Zazi, Queens Suspect, Criminal Complaint and FBI Affidavit

Criminal complaint for Najibullah Zazi, an Afghan-American suspected of ties to Al Qaeda, and his father, Mohammed Wali Zazi. According to the complaint:

[T]he defendant NAJIBULLAH ZAZI traveled to Peshawar, Pakistan from Newark International Airport via Geneva, Switzerland and Dohha, Qatar. ...

On or about September 11, 2009, FBI agents conducted a legally-authorized search of the defendant ZAZI's rental car, which was parked near the Queens Residence. During the search of the car, a laptop computer was found containing a jpeg image of nine-pages of handwritten notes (the "handwritten notes"). The handwritten notes contain formulations and instructions regarding the manufacture and handling of initiating explosives, main explosives charges, explosives detonators and components of a fuzing [sic] system.

According to the complaint, the FBI obtained the passwords to three of Zazi's email accounts, through unspecified means. One of the accounts was "known to law enforcement" prior to the FBI's search of Zazi's laptop. Media reports have said Zazi traveled to an Al Qaeda-linked training camp in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area, but the complaint does not contain this allegation.

The complaint also says Zazi's father and an individual referred to as "the imam" from New York both warned Zazi that he was under investigation.

"The imam" was an "individual known to law enforcement, whom the NYPD has utilized as a source for information in the past," the complaints state. "The imam" said in a phone call to Zazi:

"I want to speak with you about something . . . I want a meeting with you [and others]. You probably know why I'm calling you for this meeting . . . I was exposed to something yesterday from the authorities. And they came to ask me about your characters. They asked me about you guys....

"I'm not sure if somebody complained about you. I'm not sure what happened. And I don't want to know. They [the authorities] said, 'Please, we need to
know who they are ... what they're all about.' I told them that they are innocent, law abiding. ...

"They [the police] came to the masjid to ask for help. That is a good sign. Trust me that is a good sign. The bad sign is for them coming to you guys and picking you up automatically."

Complaint against Najibullah Zazi

Complaint against Mohammed Wali Zazi

Labels: INTELFILES, Najibullah-Zazi

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Oklahoma City Bombing Witness Linked To CIA, FOIA Suit Filing Says

A potential witness in the Oklahoma City bombing case had contact with the CIA.

That is just one of dozens of revelations in a document released by the CIA, in response to a lawsuit by Salt Lake City attorney Jesse Trentadue.

Trentadue has been seeking government documents related to Oklahoma City through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as part of an investigation into the death of his brother while federal custody (story).

Trentadue sought documents from the CIA under FOIA. Although the Agency released some documents (story, documents), it withheld many more. In response to Trentadue's lawsuit, the CIA filed what is known as a Vaughn Index, describing the withheld material in detail. While much of the material was classified, the CIA also refused to disclose several unclassified documents.

Among the documents described in the index:

A document written by a CIA attorney to the Justice Department that "responds to request for information as to whether a potential witness in the Oklahoma City Bombing trial was at any time associated with the CIA." The document describes "contacts between the CIA and the potential witness," which also contains information on "the location of a covert CIA facility."

A letter to an FBI agent describing CIA records searches related to Timothy McVeigh and co-conspirator Terry Nichols.

A 10-page fax describing a name trace search conducted by the CIA on Terry Nichols.

A one-page cable dated April 19, 1995, with the subject line "Bombing in Oklahoma City," which contains information about "the location of a covert CIA facility, a CIA cryptogram, and CIA intelligence limitations and capabilities."

A two cable dated April 19, 1995, and titled "Identity of US Citizens Who Attended the PAIC [Popular Arab Islamic Conference]." The annual Sudan-based conference was known as a nexus for Islamic terrorist leaders including Al Qaeda members. The document also contains information about "CIA intelligence collection requests, the location of a CIA covert facility, and cryptonyms."

A one-page cable dated April 19, 1995, and titled "Call From Foreign Liason Contact," which describes "the identity of a foreign government that provided information to the CIA in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, the location of a covert CIA facility, and information regarding another agency's sources, information sharing, and analysis of source information. Release of the classified information reasonably would be expected to result in serious damage to the national security of the United States."

A three-page cable dated April 20, 1995, and titled "Planned Correspondence With Foreign Government Liaison Partners," which describes contact between the CIA and "an asset regarding the Oklahoma City bombing."

A two-page cable dated April 20, 1995, and titled "Explosion at Federal Building in Oklahoma" which describes "the location of a covert CIA field station, the identity of a human source, information sharing, and information credited to a representative of a foreign government."

Multiple documents dated April 20, 1995, describing claims of responsibility for the Oklahoma City bombing. As previously reported on INTELWIRE, there were several such claims in the aftermath of the bombing (story, story).

A two-page cable dated April 20, 1995, and titled "Possible Suspect" which "provides information about a possible person of interest in the Oklahoma City bombing."

A two-page cable dated April 20, 1995, and titled "Name Trace Results" which describes "a person named in connection with the Oklahoma Bombing investigation, but whom was not the object of plaintiff's FOIA request." Trentadue's FOIA request specifically requested information on Andreas Strassmeir, a German national linked to McVeigh.

A two-page cable dated April 21, 1995, and titled "Investigative Lead."

A two-page cable dated April 21, 1995, and titled "Possible Lead."

A two-page cable dated April 21, 1995, and titled "Information Regarding Possible Suspects." It contains "the identity of an intelligence source and details regarding inter-agency coordination with respect to the intelligence as well as to protect the location of a covert CIA field station and foreign liaison"

The Vaughn Index lists numerous other leads generated by human intelligence sources.

Read the full document

Labels: CIA, INTELFILES, OKBOMB, Oklahoma-City-Bombing, Terry-Nichols, Timothy-McVeigh

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Air Force One, New York Flyover Photos

Air Force One Flyover of NYC:

New York City Flight Authorization (Manifest)

New York City Flyover Photos (6MB) 

New York City Flyover Supporting Documents - Part 1 (125MB)

New York City Flyover Supporting Documents - Part 2 (119MB)

Labels: Air-Force-One, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Full Text Indictment of Daniel Patrick Boyd

Below is the indictment for the alleged North Carolina Jihad cell consisting of Daniel Patrick Boyd, Hysen Sherifi, Anes Subasic, Zakariya Boyd, Dylan Boyd, Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan and Ziyad Yaghi.

Full text of indictment

Labels: American-Al-Qaeda, Daniel-Patrick-Boyd, Homegrown-Terrorism, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Bryant Neal Vinas Confession

In the fall of 2007, I left my home in Long Island to travel to Pakistan with the intention of meeting and joining a jihadist group to fight American soldiers in Afghanistan. When I arrived in Pakistan, I made contact with and was accepted into al-Qaeda, a jihadist group that I knew to be responsible for attacks against the United States, including suicide bombings targeting civilians.

As a member of al-Qaeda, I received training in courses in general combat and explosives. During my time in al-Qaeda, I took part, at the direction of al-Qaeda leaders, in two missions in September 2008 in which we agreed and planned to attack a United States military base near the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The first attack failed and we had to abort the mission before firing on the base, but a few days later, I took part in firing rockets at an American military base. Although we intended to hit the military base and kill American soldiers, I was informed that the rockets missed and the attack failed.

Finally, during my time with al-Qaeda, I consulted with a senior al-Qaeda leader and provided detailed information about the operation of the Long Island Rail Road system which I knew because I had ridden the railroad on many occasions. The purpose of providing this information was to help plan a bomb attack of the Long Island Rail Road system.

Full transcript

Labels: Afghanistan, American-Al-Qaeda, Bryant-Neal-Vinas, Homegrown-Terrorism, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Bryant Neal Vinas Indictment and Transcripts

From the L.A. Times:

An American Muslim convert from Long Island, N.Y., who was captured while fighting for Al Qaeda in Pakistan is now cooperating with authorities, opening a rare window into the world of Western militants in the network's hide-outs, U.S. and European anti-terrorism officials said.

Bryant Neal Vinas, 26, is one of the few Americans known to have made the trek to Al Qaeda's secret Pakistani compounds, the officials said.

Vinas has admitted to meeting Al Qaeda chiefs and giving them information for a potential attack on New York commuter trains, conversations that resulted in a public alert in November, said the officials, who requested anonymity because the case was ongoing.

Here are the key court documents in the Vinas case:

All documents

November 14, 2008, First indictment

November 22, 2008, Court transcript

January 28, 2009, Superseding indictment

January 28, 2009, Court transcript

July 22, 2009, Order to unseal

Labels: Afghanistan, American-Al-Qaeda, Bryant-Neal-Vinas, Homegrown-Terrorism, INTELFILES, Pakistan, Terrorist-Recruitment

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

FBI Investigation of Edward Said, 1 of 4

This is the first of four installments.

7/21/1972, FBI Letterhead Memorandum, opening investigation of Edward Said

10/30/1972, FBI Memorandum, Summary of Investigation, Edward Said

10/30/1972, FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Lead Sheet and Attached Biographical Data, Edward Said

10/31/1972, FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Requesting phone records for Edward Said

12/14/1972, FBI Letterhead Memorandum, Edward Said, Boston investigation and news story

12/14/1972, FBI Memorandum, INS Query, Edward Said

11/15/1974, FBI Case File, Edward Said passport photo

05/17/1982, FBI Teletype, Edward Said linked to terrorism investigation

08/28/1991, FBI Memorandum, Edward Said, Classified SECRET/NOFORN, mostly redacted

Labels: Edward-Said, FBI, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Oussama Ziade Indictment

Prosecutors this week arrested Oussama Ziade, former CEO of Ptech, a firm based in Quincy, Massachusetts. Ptech's biggest investor was Yassin Al Kadi (sometimes spelled Al Qadi), an alleged terrorist financier. This sealed indictment was filed in 2005 and was unsealed this week.

7/27/2005: Indictment of Oussama Ziade

Labels: INTELFILES, Oussama-Ziade, Ptech, Yassin-Al-Kadi

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Aafia Siddiqui Psych Evaluation

Psychiatric evaluation of Aafia Siddiqi (See AP story)

Grand Jury Indictment of Aafia Siddiqui

Prosecutor's Letter to Judge re: Aafia Siddiqui Competency

Labels: Aafia-Siddiqui, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

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

 

Indictment of Robert Joos, Linked to Mahon Arrests

The Mahon arrests (document, story) were not an isolated incident, it appears. It's part of a sting by the ATF using informants and at least one undercover agent. The sting is described in great detail in the document below.

Affidavit pertaining to the indictment of Robert Neil Joos

Labels: Dennis-Mahon, INTELFILES, white-supremacists

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

OKBOMB: Dennis Mahon Indictment

White supremacist brothers Dennis and Daniel Mahon have been indicted in Phoenix, Arizona, for an alleged bombing plot:

Indictment of Dennis and Daniel Mahon

The name of Dennis Mahon will be familiar to those who have followed the Oklahoma City bombing conspiracy investigation.

Chairman's Report, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee, Oklahoma City Bombing Investigation

A relevant excerpt:

Carol Howe came from a prominent Tulsa family. She was attracted to the white supremacist movement in February 1994 after she was allegedly attacked by three African-American men. She became a paid informant for the ATF and a frequent visitor to Elohim City in June 1994. Howe testified in Terry Nichols' federal trial that she saw McVeigh with [German national Andreas] Strassmeir at Elohim City in July 1994.

Howe dated Strassmeir in 1994 and January 1995. Howe asserted that Strassmeir trained Elohim City racist radicals in weaponry and had discussed assassinations, bombings and mass shootings. Strassmeir, according to Howe, frequently called for direct action against the U.S. federal government. Howe reported these statements to the ATF. It is not clear how seriously they were taken, as authorities have tried their best to discredit Howe as a witness. She was a former drug abuser and had other personal weaknesses; nonetheless, she was a paid ATF informant and in the aftermath of Waco and Ruby Ridge must have been considered an important source of information.

Howe also talked to the ATF regarding Dennis Mahon, an occasional inhabitant of Elohim City who is listed as a terrorist in several countries (including Germany and Canada) and is a leader of the White Aryan Resistance. Strassmeir also stayed with Mahon while attending weekend gun shows in Tulsa. Howe reported that Mahon talked about targeting federal buildings for bombings. Her reports could be interpreted as warnings of the upcoming Oklahoma City bombing. Howe, for example, claimed that Mahon and Strassmeir took three trips to Oklahoma City, in November 1994, December 1994, and February 1995, on one of which she accompanied them.

Labels: Andreas-Strassmeir, Dennis-Mahon, INTELFILES, OKBOMB, Oklahoma-City-Bombing

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Document Feed on Facebook

You can now follow and/or discuss documents posted to this site on Facebook.

Click here for INTELWIRE Facebook page.

Labels: INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

CIA Records On Oklahoma City Bombing

Salt Lake City attorney Jesse Trentadue released more than 50 pages of heavily redacted documents relating to the Oklahoma City bombing, which he obtained from the CIA under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Trentadue had petitioned for a number of documents relating to the bombing itself, communications between the CIA and the FBI over the bombing, and records related to Andreas Strassmeir, a German national linked to McVeigh who is alleged to have played a role in the bombing.

The CIA claimed a number of exemptions including that the release of the documents would pose a threat to national security and could expose CIA methods.

Read the full documents

Labels: INTELFILES, Jesse-Trentadue, OKBOMB, Oklahoma-City-Bombing

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Videotapes of Oklahoma City Bombing

A dozen or more surveillance videotapes showing the Oklahoma City bombing may soon be released under the Freedom of Information Act. The videotapes are described in documents released to Salt Lake City attorney Jesse Trentadue, who is also seeking the tapes themselves. The actual tapes "are due any day," Trentadue said Thursday.

Read the documents

Labels: INTELFILES, Jesse-Trentadue, OKBOMB, Oklahoma-City-Bombing

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

 

State Department Documents Cited in 9/11 Commission Report, Part 1 of 2

The following documents are State Department cables which were referenced in the footnotes of the 9/11 Commission Report. A second batch will be posted within the next few weeks.

5/21/1996: Communique from Sudan re: Osama bin Laden

Notification to U.S. government that Bin Laden and "Egyptian terrorist elements" have left the Sudan.

8/6/1996: Major Usama Bin Laden Asset Deregistered

Bin Laden's Taba Investments (Tabba For Investment) deregistered by Sudanese government. Four Bin Laden firms are also discussed -- Wadi-Alageeg Construction Company, Tabba For Investment, El-Thimar Al-Mobark Agricultural Company, and the Khartoum Tannery.

9/14/1998: Secret meeting with Taliban Official Abdul Hakim Mujahid

Taliban warned that harboring Osama bin Laden has put "the Taliban and the U.S. on a collision course." Taliban reported that they had "warned
him once again not to engage in political or press activities."

10/12/1998: Secret meeting with Taliban official Maulawi Wakil Ahmed

Suggests "the Taliban are wrestling with the Bin Ladin issue and that their heretofore hard-line stance on this issue may be in some, sort of flux."

2/16/1999: Secret Memo, The Saudi Binladin Group, Builders to the King

Claims company "has sought to make clear that it has no links with the Islamist fanatic (and half brother) Usama by publicly and unequivocally condemning his actions and taking the necessary legal steps to ensure that all connections have been severed."

10/8/1998: Designation of Al Qaeda as a terrorist organization

12/14/1999: Secret Memo, Saudis on US Warning to Taliban re: UBL

The Saudis agree that Bin Laden is a threat to the Kingdom.

Labels: INTELFILES, Osama-Bin-Laden, State-Department, Taliban

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

 

State Department Analysis: Exporting Terrorist Tactics From Iraq

EXCLUSIVE TO INTELWIRE: This newly declassified 2005 State Department analysis highlights one of the most signficant concerns about blowback from the invasion of Iraq -- its use as a proving ground for terrorist tactics and terrorist operatives.

The analysis warns that "the terrorist tactics that have been tested and
refined in [Iraq] may soon become globalized."

Although much of the report has been redacted prior to release by the State Department (an appeal is underway), several specific threat areas are identified:

Improvements to the design of vehicular improvised explosive devices (car bombs)

Proliferation of other types of IEDs -- the report states "Anything can be a bomb."

Improvements and establishment of networks for forged identities and diguise

Advances in the use of technology by terrorists

3/17/2005: State Department Cable, Exporting Terrorist Tactics From Iraq

Labels: INTELFILES, Iraq

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

 

American Civilians Killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, January 2001 to December 2007

INTELWIRE filed a FOIA request for any records concerning non-military American citizens killed in Iraq and Afghanistan from January 1, 2001 to December 2007. The State Department said it found nine documents, consisting of 17 pages, which are linked below. The State Department said it was not withholding any documents, although some of the released documents were redacted.

Despite the State Department's claim that these are the only documents it could locate, none of the documents refer to American citizen Nicholas Berg, the most famous American civilian casualty in Iraq, who was killed by Al Qaeda in Iraq head Abu Musab Al Zarqawi.

Due to this glaring inconsistency, INTELWIRE believes this request has not received an adequate search nor a satisfactory response. An appeal is in process. In the meantime, the released documents may be viewed below.

American civilians killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, 1/2001 to 12/2007

One point of special interest in the released documents concerned Hector Patino, of San Antonio, Texas, who was killed in an apparent friendly fire incident in January 2007. Family members have raised questions about the official account of Patino's killing.

Reports stated Patino was driving a truck when Australian coalition military guards ordered him to stop in the vicinity of a checkpoint. He did not stop, for reasons unknown, and the soldiers shot and killed him.

The document released to INTELWIRE has one key difference from the official report. According to a State Department cable dated Jan. 17, 2007, "Australian and U.S. military guards ... shot and killed Patino."

As an early report, the cable may simply have erred in stating that U.S. soldiers were involved in the incident. INTELWIRE makes no special claims about the veracity of either account, but offers the document for those who may wish to investigate further.

1/17/2007: State Department cable, death of Hector Patino

Labels: Afghanistan, INTELFILES, Iraq

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Aafia Siddiqui Psychiatric and Medical Reports

9/3/2008: Letter to the court describing Aafia Siddiqui arrest and treatment in detention, injuries, strip-search issues

9/11/2008: Psychiatric Evaluation of Aafia Siddiqui

The psychiatric evaluation evaluated Siddiqui as having an Axis I diagnosis of Depressive Type Psychosis, which can involve suicidal thoughts and behavior, confusion and delusions. The diagnosis has some history in arguments over whether a defendant is competent to stand trial.

Video of Aafia Siddiqui interrogation (offsite)

Labels: Aafia-Siddiqui, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Aafia Siddiqui Indictment

The Justice Department indicted alleged al Qaeda member Aafia Siddiqui in New York yesterday. According to the indictment, she was carrying handwritten notes on a "mass casualty attack" at the time of her arrest, including notes on chemical and radioactive dispersal devices (dirty bombs), along with photos of U.S. landmarks (including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and more).

She was also carrying a thumb drive with "correspondence that referred to specific 'cells' and 'attacks' by certain 'cells.' Other documents referred to 'enemies,' including the United States, and discussed recruitment and training."

Indictment of Aafia Siddiqui

Labels: Aafia-Siddiqui, INTELFILES

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Obama's Assassination Threat

Below are indictments of the three men arrested after allegedly threatening to kill presidential candidate Barack Obama. Media reports have tied the men to white supremacist organizations.

Indictment of Tharin Gartrell (Obama threat)

Indictment of Nathan Johnson (Obama threat)

Indictment of Shawn Robert Adolf (Obama threat)

Commentary on INTELWIRE.com

Labels: Aryan-Nations, Assassinations, INTELFILES, Obama, The-Order, white-supremacists

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

 

Al Qaeda Founding, 20 Years Ago Today

The memo below commemorated the "official" founding of al Qaeda 20 years ago this day.

8/11/1988: Tareekh Osama memo

The document was provided by the Motley Rice law firm, which obtained it as part of its lawsuit on behalf of the victims of the September 11 attacks.

Labels: INTELFILES

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

 

Recent INTELWIRE Documents

A few documents recently posted on INTELWIRE. Look for the next batch of 9/11 files soon, and a lot more interesting material in the works.

Rumsfeld-Saddam meetings

State Department Cable, Dec. 7, 1983

State Department Cable, Dec. 8, 1983

State Department Cable, Dec. 10, 1983

State Department Cable (1), Dec. 14, 1983

State Department Cable (2), Dec. 14, 1983

State Department Cable, Dec. 20, 1983

State Department Cable, Dec. 20, 1983

Anthrax Investigation:

Affidavit in support of search warrant, 10/31/2001

Affidavit in support of search warrant, 10/31/2007

Salim Hamdan Trial Documents

Unclassified Hamdan Affidavit

Allegations against Hamdan

Summary of expected testimony

List of detainees sought by defense as witnesses

Letter from prosecutor Maj. Robert Preston protesting irregularities in Gitmo cases in general

D.C. Madam Investigation

Postal Inspector Files (1991-1992)

Oklahoma City Bombing

June 20, 1995 FBI memorandum, United States Nationalist Party

Read the June 13, 1995, FBI airtel, Mark Thomas

August 22, 1996 FBI teletype, McVeigh phone call

Labels: 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