Posted on 08/29/2005 3:53:39 AM PDT by johnny7
A copy of the Able Danger chart that identified lead 9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta as a terrorist operating inside the U.S. a year before the 9/11 attacks is clearly visible in a video of a 2002 speech by delivered by Rep. Curt Weldon to the Heritage Foundation.
The Pentagon, the 9/11 Commission and the Senate Intelligence Committee are currently seeking evidence that the bombshell chart, featuring a photo Atta, ever existed - as claimed by three members of the Able Danger team, along with Rep. Weldon. But so far, no physical evidence of the controversial document has surfaced. Until now.
A third of the way through his May 23, 2002 address on data fusion techniques, the video shows Rep. Weldon unfurling a copy of the now missing document and displaying it to the Heritage audience. "This is the unclassified chart that was done by the Special Forces Command briefing center one year before 9/11," he explains. "It is the complete architecture of al Qaeda and pan-Islamic extremism. It gives all the linkages. It gives all the capabilities. . . ." Though Weldon never mentions Able Danger or Atta by name - and the video never zooms in on the chart to the point where Atta's photo is identifiable - it's clear from Weldon comments that the chart is the same one currently being sought.
Since the Able Danger story broke three weeks ago, the Pennsylvania Republican has repeatedly insisted that he gave a copy of the chart shortly after the 9/11 attacks to then-Deputy National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley. In the 2002 speech, Weldon told the same story in greater detail, standing beside a copy of what he said he gave Hadley. "I went to the White House. I don't mean to embarrass this guy cause he's a good friend of mine. But I took a mini version of this chart in Nov. [2001] and I turned it over to him - Steve Hadley, who works directly for [then-National Security Advisor] Condi Rice."
Weldon said Hadley was stunned after viewing the Al Qaeda-Atta document. "This is unbelievable - where'd you get this?" he wanted to know. After being told that the chart was prepared by military intelligence a year before the 9/11 attacks, Hadley said, according to Weldon, "I've got to show this to the man" - apparently referring to President Bush.
In the same speech, Rep. Weldon also revealed that then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Hugh Shelton received a briefing on the Able Danger chart in the closing weeks of the Clinton administration.
To view Rep. Weldon's entire 2002 speech to the Heritage Foundation, go to: http://www.heritage.org/Press/Events/2002archive.cfm He displays the al Qaeda-Atta chart approximately 34 minutes into the presentation.
Below is PART of Condi's testimony in regards to this memo (I assume).
Clarke mentions sleeper cells. There is no recommendation or anything that needs to be done about them. And the FBI is pursuing them. And usually when things come to me it's because I'm supposed to do something about it, and there is no indication that the FBI was not adequately pursuing the sleeper cells.
Since this is only part of the testimony, interpretation is a bit difficult. Was Clarke referring to Sleeper cells within the US? Was he more specific? This says FBI. Did the Able Danger info get to the FBI despite the Pentagon saying it never got there? Or did they BOTH have the cell(S) under scrutiny in separate undertakings?...
One hand doesn't know what the other is doing?????? Damn, this is confusing.
Hm. I don't see that, but if it's happening, it should be prosecuted.
Here is a link to the web site. http://www.heritage.org/Press/Events/2002archive.cfm
The title of the speech is "Breaking the Stovepipes: Improving Intelligence Sharing for Homeland Security" and was given May 23, 2002. The chart is displayed about 33 minutes into the speech.
It sure prompts a lot of questions.
Gorelick said MANY TIMES: "We have the documents that we want".
According to Weldon, staff members of the 9/11 Commission were briefed on the capabilities of the Able Danger intelligence unit within the Special Operations Command, which had been set up by General Pete Schoomaker, who headed Special Ops at the time, on the orders of General Hugh Shelton, then the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Staffers at the 9/11 Commission staffers were also told about the specific recommendation to break up the Mohammed Atta cell. However, those commission staff members apparently did not choose to brief the commissions members on these sensitive matters.
Prosecuted? by whom?
But I give him kudos for speaking out against weasley clark.
If someone covers for a crime, would there not be an obstruction of justice? Or am I in need of more caffeine to gain greater clarity on your point? :-)
I sent Enchante's excellent find to NewsMax as a news tip. They replied with a hearty thank you and the subsequent article.
Maybe it was because Chelsea Clinton was attending Stanford at the time and you couldn't point the finger at the college where the First Kid was studying.
Thank you for for doing that; wish they'd give Enchante credit.
Chelsea Clinton was there at the same time. Maybe the Toon's were afraid their daughter would be fingered as a Chinese spy.
Data mining just brings up names for further investigation. It doesn't name someone as a "potential agent." It just depends on what parameters you establish to gather the pertinent information. I seriously doubt that Condi Rice was ever identified as a potential agent. She had clear reasons to be involved with the Chinese with no further investigation being necessary.
Check out the link and view the presentation for yourself. I did not see any photos on the chart.
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Events/2002archive.cfm
Relook the video at about ~30min +. Check post #56 above.
I always wondered "WHO DIED" when the Chinese Embassy was bombed "ACCIDENTLY".
OK. Is this the "reconstructed" chart or a copy of the original? Did Weldon mention Atta's name at this speech? Certainly Atta was known at the time and pointing him out on the chart would be a coup.
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