Posted on 09/22/2001 8:49:15 PM PDT by Ms. AntiFeminazi
WASHINGTON (AP) — Box-cutting tools like those used by hijackers were found on airliners grounded by the Sept. 11 attacks, authorities said Saturday, as investigators linked a man arrested in London with one of the terrorist pilots.
The discoveries could indicate that attackers planned to commandeer more than the four planes that crashed into the Pentagon, the World Trade Center and a field in western Pennsylvania, said the head of a traveler's advocacy group.
``We don't know how many of the hijackers that actually died were pilots, but there was suspicion that a lot more planes were going to be hit,'' said David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association.
A law enforcement source said one of four people arrested in England on Friday took flying lessons at the same Arizona school, and at the same time, as a terrorist in the Pentagon attack.
The 27-year-old man left the United States before the hijackings, said the investigator, who is familiar with the probe but insisted on anonymity. The man, his wife, 25, and his brother, 29, were arrested in west London on Friday by Scotland Yard. A fourth man, in his 40s, was arrested in Birmingham, north of London. Their names were not released.
The 29-year-old man was released from custody Saturday, a Scotland Yard spokeswoman said. The individuals in custody had not been cooperating with authorities, the law enforcement source said.
``They have direct connections to the suicide pilots,'' a second law enforcement source, also involved in the terrorist investigation, told The Associated Press Saturday.
The FBI has identified a Hani Hanjour as one of the terrorists who attacked the Pentagon. FAA records show a Hani Hanjoor as receiving a commercial pilot's license in 1999, listing a post office box in Saudi Arabia as his address.
T. Gerald Chilton Jr., a corporate officer for CRM Airline Training Center in Scottsdale, Ariz., said a man named Hani Hanjoor received pilot training there for three months in 1996, and in December 1997. He put down a $100 deposit toward additional training in 1997, but did not attend more classes.
Justice Department spokesman Charles Miller confirmed that box-cutting tools were discovered when planes were scoured for evidence after airliners were ordered grounded just after the attacks.
Miller said he couldn't confirm how many box-cutters were found or the routes the planes were flying. But another government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were discovered on two planes.
The Washington Post said the tools were found under adjoining seat cushions on a flight that originated in Boston, and in the trash bin of another plane that was bound for Brussels from Atlanta.
Before the attacks, federal regulations allowed knives with blades up to 4 inches, although state and local laws could be more restrictive.
In an indication of increased U.S. security, the Coast Guard has begun checking all lists of crew members and passengers on vessels entering the United States, and comparing names with those on law enforcement databases, said Cmdr. Jim McPherson.
He cited the example last week of the captain of a cruise ship returning to Miami from Cozumel, Mexico, who reported that two passengers were acting suspiciously. The Coast Guard was contacted, detained the men and found that one was wanted in connection with terrorist acts unrelated to the Sept. 11 hijackings. The man was turned over to the FBI.
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Associated Press Writers Pat Milton and Jonathan Salant contributed to this story.
Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
"DEBKA INTELLIGENCE" is becoming an oxymoron.
Don't forget the food service connection in Detroit. Many people in low paying jobs (invisible people) have access to the tarmack. There are places on planes where people don't usually look during cleaning. (Ever checked your life preserver under the seat?) The schedules of the planes are well known and airliners have loop routes that make it simple to plan ahead and leave things on the plane before it gets to Logan airport. The hijackers even knew what seats were theirs. Where were these airliners the last few airports before they became missiles?
It doesn't matter about the security. The guys can obard the plane, and get along just nicely. The cleaning crew can slip the stuff in, and hide it in any number of places.
And it only takes one or two of those. How do you check every airplane before every flight?
Comprende?
FReegards
That's not how I read the article. Implication is hijackers aborted plan and discarded their tools of evil.
If anyone can show that DEBKA is correct and the Associated Press is wrong, I'll reconsider. Until then, the Associated Press wins for credibility.
``They have direct connections to the suicide pilots,'' a second law enforcement source, also involved in the terrorist investigation,
Why are they releasing these people? They just released a guy here too.
Where are all the lawyers representing these people?
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