The BC definitely no surprise. However, the nuke would almost be unspeakable. It was bad enough watching the WTC go down in a matter of hours, but to see and equivalent in a matter of seconds. As you-all probably figured out, I'm skeptical about the nuke aspect. But then who would have thought to fly planes into buildings either. And if Iran gets nukes, you can bet they'll get into terrorist hands most tic.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
9/11 link: Hamburg to Laden - Craig Whitlock
HAMBURG, AUGUST 10 Two years before the 9/11 attacks on the US, the ringleaders of the plot had a different destination in mind: Chechnya. But an encounter with a stranger on a train in Germany led the conspirators in a new direction, eventually putting them in touch for the first time with Osama bin Laden and the leadership of Al Qaeda.
The 1999 episode on the German train, disclosed in the final report of the US Commission investigating the attacks, is based on interrogation reports that until recently were kept secret. According to the account, a mysterious passenger, identified as Khalid Masri, urged the Islamic radicals to postpone their mission to Chechnya until they could speak with a Mauritanian businessman, Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who arranged a personal meeting with bin Laden.
The circuitous path that led the group to Afghanistan is a key piece of evidence cited by the Commission in concluding that the Hamburg cell had no intention of attacking the US until it was recruited almost by chance by Al Qaeda to become the field marshals of the 9/11 operation.
That finding contradicts a long-held theory advanced by German prosecutors, who have argued that the Hamburg radicals conceived of the plot themselves in Germany and then sought Al Qaeda's support and sponsorship.
According to US and German investigators, the Hamburg cell included 11 core members who played a role in preparing for the attacks. Of those, three died in the hijackings, two are facing trial in Germany, two are in US custody, and one is imprisoned in Syria. Three others remain at large.
The competing version of how the conspiracy began threatens to derail Germany's attempts to prosecute two men accused of belonging to the Hamburg cell and assisting the attacks. A suspect, Mounir Motassadeq, a Moroccan, is to go on trial on Tuesday on 3,066 counts of accessory to murder. Motassadeq, found guilty 18 months ago, is still the only person convicted in connection with the attacks.
The 9/11 Commission's findings are based on classified reports of interrogations of Ramzi Binalshibh, a member of the Hamburg cell who was to serve as a lead hijacker but did not get a visa to the US. He was caught in Pakistan in 2002 and is being held in US custody. During interrogation, Binalshibh described the 1999 encounter on the German train. His statements led the 9/11 panel to reach a conclusion different from that of the German prosecutors, who believed that the plot originated in Germany.
In 1999, when the four members of the Hamburg cell left Germany for Afghanistan, it was unlikely that they knew of the planes operation, the panel wrote.
German authorities have wondered how the hijackings could have been planned in their midst without triggering any alarms. Now the US investigation has answered their question by saying the plot was not hatched here. This was the assumption for a long time, said Manfred Murck, a German intelligence official. In a way, we feel better that not all the responsibility is on our shoulders.
Citing Binalshibh's statements, the commission reported that Masri urged the Hamburg radicals to contact Slahi. They did, and Slahi invited them to visit him in Duisburg, Germany.
According to the Panel, Slahi told them it was difficult to slip into Chechnya and told them to go to Afghanistan.
In December 1999, the trip to meet bin Laden prompted the Hamburg contingent to swear allegiance to Al Qaeda. It also resulted in an immediate assignment: to lead and plan the 9/11 hijackings in the US. (LAT-WP)
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=52836