Freeh Links Iran To Khobar Bombing

The Washington Post ^ | December 19, 2003 | Carol D. Leonnig

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Former FBI director Louis Freeh testified yesterday that he believed there was "overwhelming evidence" that senior Iranian government officials financed and directed the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia.

Freeh testified as a key witness on behalf of the families of 12 Americans killed in the bombing, who are suing the government of Iran. The former director took particular interest in the investigation into the bombing, traveling to Saudi Arabia soon after the June 25, 1996, explosion. The bombing ripped a dormitory in half and killed 19 Air Force servicemen and servicewomen.

Freeh's testimony came at a fragile stage in the civil trial, which is in its third week and had been set to end today. U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson said last week she might dismiss the suit if the plaintiffs could not produce Freeh and his former FBI counterterrorism chief, Dale Watson, the other critical witness in the case. Neither man got clearance from the Justice Department to testify until late last Friday night.

Freeh told Robinson he was "heavily involved" in the Khobar investigation, and had traveled to the bomb site hours after the explosion. He said he spent nearly two years trying to persuade Saudi diplomats to let FBI agents interview six Saudi citizens whom the Saudi government considered the bombing's perpetrators, and he ultimately succeeded.

[Frank_Discussion]

Not incredibly surprising, but still alarming.

[diamondjoe]

Remember when that lunatic crashed his small plane into the White House--the joke in the administration was that it was Louis Freeh, trying to set up an appointment with the President. (Clinton met with him something like four times during his entire term.)

[Peach]

Wasn't that story about James Woolsey - former CIA Director?

Regardless, it showed how little Clinton cared about national security.

[eureka!]

As to the CIA director, that was twice...

[mr.pink]

Freeh should have been in prison years ago (FBI files -> Hillary).

An complete accounting of the circumstances that led to his extremely timely (timely for Al Qeada) resignation is called for.

That republicans got snookered by the creep time and time again speaks to their gullibilty.

That this reckless incompetent is given anyone's ear is beyond belief, he should be ashamed to show his face in public.

[elhombrelibre]

Keep in mind that Clinton was busy meeting with Monica and could not be bothered with mundane things like terrorist threats to the US.

[eureka!]

Of course. But, his his credit, he launched some missiles at some tents in Afghanistan when she was testifying. *spit*

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt

[Boot Hill]

"Former FBI director Louis Freeh testified yesterday that he believed there was 'overwhelming evidence' that senior Iranian government officials financed and directed the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia."

FYI