Washington Post Magazine Article on Bojinka from December of 2001

The Washington Post ^ | December 30, 2001 | Matthew Brzezinski

[AJFavish]

It was already evening, here on the other side of the international date line, when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Aida Fariscal had gone to bed early on September 11, only to be awakened by a frantic colleague. "Quick," he instructed, "turn on your television."

The footage of the hijacked airliner bursting into flame made Fariscal bolt upright. "Oh my God," she gasped. "Bojinka."

[AJFavish]

I recommend that everybody read this article. If you get it from the WP Archives, it will cost a minimum of $2.95 and it is worth it.

[MadelineZapeezda]

See here at the AIM report regarding Project Bojinka by Reed Irvine

[MadelineZapeezda]

That Bojinka Bump to #2 won't cost a thang!

[alnick]

What did the Washington Post know and when did they know it?

[NCDoc]

The Russians, along with about half a dozen other foreigm intelligence agencies, warned the U.S. that the attack was coming. The Russian warning specifically mentioned the likelihood of using airliners as flying bombs (Isvezta, Sept 12, as translated for the copvcia.com website).

God only knows how the President would not have also received this information. The President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff receive a daily CIA briefing.

[dalebert]

None of these reports tell a thing that would have stopped 911. Due to the Gore report on airline security nothing would have helped. Besides, there is nothing in these reports that say when, where, how many, nothing.

[minnoh]

I read this article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, also. It is not news. Clinton was informed about Bojinko, and did nothing about it.

[NCDoc]

With the warnings that were received, they could have held Middle Eastern males off of the airliners until they were cleared for security. El Al has done this kind of thing for decades. It's no mystery move.

[dalebert]

One problem with holding arabs from the planes. the dems would have made a move on it while screaming discrimination. I also don't think they had enough info. I also think they made the mistake of thinking the airlines had some sort of minnamal security in place. Also,we were in the habit of negotiating with hijackers. Our militarty might have had the mindset for dealing with suicide murders but I don't think anyone else did. Thats why Bush ordered the reports. There was a disgruntled person on Gores airline security committee(Gore reported that security was fine)who had much to say about the lack of enforcement of security regs. Its not likely that Bush had time to get anything done. He was also kind of slowed down by the election. With Clinton lovers still in jobs and positions I am not surprised if he did not have the full picture. I still don't think it would have mattered.

[AJFavish]

The information about Bojinka, learned in 1995 by Clinton's FBI and CIA should have caused all cockpit doors to be sealed and skymarshalls on the commercial flights.