No Longer An Accident - Downing of TWA Flight 800

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | November 19, 2002 | Jack Cashill

[canalabamian]

No longer an accident!

WorldNetDaily.com

The jury is in on TWA Flight 800, and the verdict is clear: There is absolutely no evidence of either a mechanical failure, or of a bomb planted in the fuselage. Indeed, all available evidence suggests the explosive event that destroyed the ill-fated airliner in 1996 was caused by a terrorist group called the Islamic Change Movement.

This is the "group" that had taken responsibility for the Riyadh bombing in 1995 that killed five Americans and two Indian nationals, and the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia on June 25, 1996, that killed 19 American servicemen.

Early on July 17, 1996, the very day TWA Flight 800 was destroyed, this same group issued a communique that, according to Yossef Bodansky, "laid the foundation for the downing of TWA 800." As director of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, Bodansky knows the subject as well as any man alive.

The communique was chilling: "The mujahideen will deliver the ultimate response to the threats of the foolish American president. Everyone will be amazed at the size of that response," it read in part. "Their time is at the morning-dawn. Is not the morning-dawn near?" Dawn in Afghanistan corresponded almost exactly to dusk in New York, the moment of TWA Flight 800's demise.

So powerful and public was the warning that, by the night of July 18, the State Department had already swung into denial mode. "While it's up to those leading the investigation to make a judgment on what this means," said spokesman Glyn Davies unconvincingly, "we think that this is a common type of political tract circulated commonly in the Middle East, and that the only connection is a vague chronological one – that this thing surfaced at this dreadful time."

The State department failed to note that on this same day, July 18, the Islamic Change Movement released another communique through well-established Islamist terrorist channels in Beirut. It read in part, "We carried out our promise with the plane attack of yesterday."

Bodansky was not impressed by the State Department denials. He raised the chillingly prophetic alarm that follows – not after Sept. 11, but two years before:

The case of TWA 800 served as a turning point because of Washington's determination – and to a great extent ability – to suppress terrorist explanations and "float" mechanical failure theories. To avoid such suppression after future strikes, terrorism-sponsoring states would raise the ante so that the West cannot ignore them.

Less well understood is just which "terrorism-sponsoring state" was backing the Islamic Change Movement. In her fascinating book, "The War Against America," Laurie Mylroie makes the case that the one nation with the means and the motivation was Iraq. "The most likely interpretation," she notes, "is that the Islamic Change Movement was a name given by Iraqi intelligence to threaten or claim credit for bombings."

To be sure, Mylroie does not link the Islamic Change Movement to TWA Flight 800. In fact, she does not mention the doomed flight at all. She focuses primarily on the first World Trade Center bombing. A meticulous researcher, Mylroie developed much of her material as a consultant for Newsweek. She has sifted through the various documents unearthed in the various criminal trials, and followed the paper trail right back to Iraq. Her reasoning and her documentation are difficult to refute.

Curious as to why she avoided the subject of TWA Flight 800, I called Ms. Mylroie. As I told her, I did not expect her to commit to a theory on the crash based on my five-minute phone explanation, but I would appreciate her insight on a few key points. One was on the question of whether it was indeed the Islamic Change Movement that had sent a specific threat the morning of the flight. "No," she answered cagily, "They actually sent it the night before."

A second point of interest was the date of the plane's destruction. Mylroie mentions frequently, as have others, that terrorists in the Islamic world have a fixation with dates. She argues, for instance, that the first World Trade Center bombing took place on the second anniversary of the final day of the Gulf War, a correlation she sees as significant. (She does not explore the Oklahoma City bombing, despite the fact that its modus operandi is eerily similar to the bombing of the World Trade Center and that it took place on the second anniversary of the final day of another siege – the one on Waco).

The most significant day on the Iraqi revolutionary calendar marks the coup that brought Hussein's Ba'th party to power in the ill-starred year of 1969. Mylroie makes several references to this date – July 17 – but, curiously, she makes no reference to the most violent terrorist event that tracks with that date, namely the destruction of TWA Flight 800. Again, Mylroie was aware of the connection, but chose not to pursue it.

A third point of interest is the man responsible for the first World Trade Center bombing, Ramzi Yousef. Mylroie makes a compelling case that Yousef was an Iraqi agent. Indeed, the Arabs with whom he conspired in the New York area knew him as "Rashid, the Iraqi."

On July 17, 1996, Yousef was standing trial in New York for his role in a plot known as "Bojinka," the Serbian word for explosive. Yousef had been planning to blow up 11 American airliners over the Pacific more or less simultaneously. The scary thing is that he was capable of doing it.

One element of Bojinka planning mirrored Yousef's most successful crime: the truck bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. If one could stuff a thousand pounds of explosives into a van, reasoned Yousef (on the laptop seized from the Manila apartment he shared with Abdul Hakim Murad, a Pakistani pilot), why not stuff a comparable amount in a small plane and strike real terror into the belly of the beast? The one speculative target cited was the CIA building. But more important was the methodology. The following excerpt from a classified Republic of the Philippines intelligence report shows that al-Qaida had plans to use small planes as flying bombs as early as 1994.

The document [from Yousef's computer] specifically cited the charter service of a commercial-type aircraft loaded with powerful bombs to be dive-crashed by Saeed Akman. This is apparently intended to demonstrate to the whole world that a Muslim martyr is ready and determined to die for the glorification of Islam.

Sept. 11 mastermind, Mohammed Atta, also made plans to use small, private planes to launch an attack of some kind within America. During the spring of 2000, in a stunning bit of chutzpah, Atta visited a U.S. Department of Agriculture office in Homestead, Fla., and attempted to apply for a government financed loan. USDA manager Johnelle Bryant described his unlikely (and happily unsuccessful) request for ABC News:

He … actually wanted to purchase a six-passenger, twin-engine airplane, that he could pull the back seats out, and build a special-made chemical tank to put … into … the aircraft to hold the chemicals for crop-dusting, and yet remove that when he … needed to, and replace the seats for … [a] charter-type plane.

Although Atta had no known connection to the destruction of TWA Flight 800, and his avowed interest was in "crop-dusting," his plans to reconfigure the plane seem to have come right out of the Yousef playbook. I cite these references to small planes because there was undeniably one in the mix on July 17, 1996 – one described by the most credible eyewitness as a "six-seater."

A fourth point of interest is the behavior of President Bill Clinton. Although she served as an adviser to Clinton during his 1992 campaign, Mylroie finds his reaction to Iraqi-backed terrorism "inexplicable." In fact, throughout the book, Mylroie quietly condemns the seeming "policy disarray" that leads time and again to inaction. The administration, she notes, suffered from the inability to tell the truth about Iraq even to itself.

In an insightful National Review article, Byron York argues that in the desperately political year of 1996, Clinton adviser Dick Morris polled continuously, even on tragic events like Khobar Towers and TWA Flight 800, to see how the president should respond. The conclusion was that "talking tough" would suffice. The implication is that tough talk would allow Clinton to hold his lead over the Republican's aging warrior, Bob Dole, without engendering further risk. Says York, "Clinton was preoccupied with his own political fortunes to an extent that precluded his giving serious and sustained attention to fighting terrorism."

For the Clinton White House, there was no political upside to terrorism unless it could be blamed on the American right wing. And if there were no political upside, why pursue it at all – why not just wish it away? Such was America's foreign policy for eight years, and never more intensely so than in the anxious run-up to Clinton's 1996 re-election bid.

If Mylroie ignores TWA Flight 800 altogether, York addresses it parenthetically: "It was later ruled to be an accident," he notes. One cannot blame either for avoiding the topic. When they were writing, there was no substantial body of evidence refuting the government's specious but complex argument for mechanical failure. That is about to change. And when it does, the brief for an attack on Iraq could only grow stronger.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Oh, my goodness! Could it be? You have joined the tinfoil hat brigade! Well - dear PhiKapMom - I, as one of the original members, am very truly honored to have you among us.

Of course - the yearning is for one day to see one of the mediapuppets out yonder in Teeveeland don one of our brand of hats!

We dream of hearing from Dan Rather's lips:

"Today, Bill and Hillary Clinton were taken away to receive the justice due them for the horrendous crimes which they committed against individual Americans and against the United States. And, I must say, viewers, that it is about time!"

ROFLMAO! I know, in our dreams. And, in our prayers!!!!

[Stefan Stackhouse]

If only one aircraft had crashed into the World Trade Center on 9/11, do you think the story line that was put together afterward would have been the same?

Pilot error.

Well, Atta was the pilot at that moment, and flying into the WTC was definitely the wrong thing to do, so there you have it.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

The one problem with that theory is that a Stinger anti-aircraft missile does not have the range to strike a target as high as TWA 800 was flying.

So what about the hypothesis that it wasn't a Stinger, but something more substantial? Anything other than a Stinger would be very difficult to smuggle in and deploy on US soil. On an offshore boat, however, they have more possibilities. Something the size of a fishing trawler could conceal and launch a pretty good size SAM.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

"You are remembering this correctly. It was issued when Navy divers were beginning to bring up pieces that could have shown the entry point of a missile. Only one side of that reconstructed plane was ever shown."

Thank GOD the memory hasn't totally faded yet. Yes, I read that also re: the other side of the reconstructed plane. Wonder how the consciences are doing of those who saw the other side of that plane??? Wonder how they are sleeping?

[Alberta's Child]

See #121. A variation of the Sherlock Holmes "dog that doesn't bark" scenario is what leads me to believe that there were no terrorists involved here.

In that Sherlock Holmes story, the detective solves a crime when he realizes that the only person who could have committed the crime without causing the dog to bark is the person who owns the dog. I can accept the theory that TWA Flight 800 was shot down -- I just think it's highly unlikely that there were terrorists involved.

As unlikely as an accidental shoot-down might sound, remember that it's not like it hasn't happened before. Remember the Iranian airliner that was shot down by the U.S. Navy over the Persian Gulf?

[Stefan Stackhouse]

The problem is that Clinton was in charge, and normal rational processes of deduction don't apply in his case. If it had been a USN screw-up, then this would have fit right into his agenda, and he would have used it to purge a whole bunch of politically unreliable personnel and to justify further force reductions and budget cuts. On the other hand, if it was a terrorist missile from a boat, and the USN was simply not able to react fast enough to catch them, then making this public knowledge would have just played into Dole's & Gingrich's hands. Clinton had a lot to gain by covering up both the fact that it was a terrorist act AND the fact that the military under his command wasn't performing very well.

Assuming that Clinton would cover up whatever was disadvantageous to him, and tell whatever lie was advantageous to him, is a pretty credible assumption.

[Alberta's Child]

On the other hand, if it was a terrorist missile from a boat, and the USN was simply not able to react fast enough to catch them, then making this public knowledge would have just played into Dole's & Gingrich's hands.

That's exactly why I'm quite sure there were no terrorists involved. Radar data that was initially covered up but was later released indicated that all of the Navy ships in the area left the scene on short notice. No pursuit of small boats, or anything of that sort. My understanding is that the U.S. Navy only admitted that these ships were there when they were presented with irrefutable evidence indicating their presence.

The real kicker is that Flight 800 was shot down right alongside an area that had been flagged by the U.S. Navy as "active" for live-fire exercises that night. That's something else that wasn't made known at the time -- and again, as in the previous case, the attempts to obscure this kind of information would lead one to believe that they've got something to hide.

[Alberta's Child]

If it had been a USN screw-up, then this would have fit right into his agenda, and he would have used it to purge a whole bunch of politically unreliable personnel and to justify further force reductions and budget cuts.

The one problem there is that these tests were usually done off Hawaii. It was the White House that issued the order to have them moved to the mid-Atlantic coast, probably to conduct these tests under adverse conditions (heavy interference from outside radio activity).

[Quix]

AMEN!

Is it just WND you find disgusting? or conservatives in general?

--or the truth in general!

[dljordan]

I just gotta reply. First let me say that I am an Aircraft Mechanic and Pilot, so while not a genius, I do know something about Aircraft. I just don't see how the tank exploded. I mean it COULD theoretically explode but the tanks are filled with nitrogen and these planes have Millions of hours of flight time without this happening. Also, why did the NTSB and FBI remove the evidence and threaten to prosecute investigative reporters? Something is not Kosher here. I've read plenty of NTSB crash reports and have never seen them act this way. We discussed this event in a crash investigation class and even the instructor, who has investigated thousands of incidents for the NTSB was baffled. I guess I better get a new roll of tinfoil.

[Quix]

I don't KNOW whether it was terrorists or the Navy.

The terrorists messages, if authentic, sound convincing enough.

I believe the news source is AT LEAST AS CREDIBLE as CNN et al.

It sure wasn't the fuel tank.

I could believe the Navy did it and that Dilldo bent everything backwards to cover it up. But it seems at least AS likely that terrorists did it, to me. And probably more likely.

[Quix]

AMEN. MUCH AGREE.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thanks. I see MR there on that thread. MR was a very controversial person around these parts. And I did not agree with everything MR posted. But, the deal is, Reed Irvine, whom I respect totally, agrees with MR about the downing of flight TWA800 - and so do I. I respected Commander Donaldson, but the BS sniffer said he could not possibly be going after the facts totally openmindedly since he was a US Naval officer.

Again, God rest his soul.

And, again, I have the utmost respect and thanks for all our military personnel.

But the Clinton Crime Years were unlike anything this nation has ever seen. People feared for their careers, their incomes, their families, and their lives if they did not do what El Dictator Clintonissimo commanded. If people who know the truth would only take the risk and come forward - about much that they know - America could be spared what is coming if Hitlery EVER gets the reigns of power. Her greedy little fingers are so close to it - that she is going bonkers not having that power.

People need to think about this.

If the Clinton Criminals would coverup (by THUG FORCE) the truth about all these deaths, what would they NOT DO TO ACHIEVE AND KEEP POWER - AGAIN????

In other words - AMERICAN LIVES ARE AT RISK AS LONG AS HILLARY CLINTON AND BILL CLINTON ARE WALKING FREE.

The people who continue to keep the facts secret which could put the CLintons where they belong - in jail and/or on trial for high crimes and misdemeanors - out of fear - simply need to face the fact that what will happen to them if they DO NOT REPORT THE TRUTH is much worse than what will happen if they do. I know potential whistleblowers continue to fear the Clinton people who are STILL IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY in many of our security agencies.

But - they must find a way - ala Whitaker Chambers - to get the truth known. Lives will be saved. A nation may even be saved from destruction and/or enslavement by the courageous actions of just a few "whistleblowers" on the Clinton crimes.

Praying that some brave soul(s) will step forward. Praying that God will get ahold of their hearts and minds and convict them of the extreme danger for their own souls if they should continue in their silence while knowing facts that could turn Hillary and Bill Clinton out into the streets as the hunted criminals they truly are!

I would even encourage these "insiders" to think about the heroes on 9-11 who gave their lives so that others might live. And about all those in our military on the front lines every day who do the same thing. For heaven's sake - heroes are very much needed today - heroes who can step forward and get the truth out about the Clintons - before it is too late for our nation!!

[eno_]

Kill the financiers, and bankrupt the cover-up perps, and I'd say you have it just right.

[PhiKapMom]

I am with you all the way! The daughter of a girl I graduated with was on that plane on a trip to France as a graduation present from her folks.

[PhiKapMom]

Actually I have had my tinfoil on for a long time. I never bought the stories that kept changing from day one.

Too many people saw the streaking through the sky and then the plane blowing up and they didn't even know each other!

I am proud to join you all!

[Landru]

"If TWA Flight 800 was brought down by a missile, it was the U.S. Navy that fired it."

Facinating, if true.
Accidents happen, as the Iranians know all too well.
This theory sure absolves the ragheads (I'd suspected) of any invlovement, doesn't it.
But what's more important?

...it'd more than explain Clintigula's motive for a cover-up.

[sultan88]

Thanks for posting this! I will bookmark this for future reference.

[Alberta's Child]

Actually, I shoudl clarify my statement. If it was a missile that brought down Flight 800, it was fired during a naval exercise off the coast of Long Island that night. One explanation I saw for the cover-up was that it was not actually a U.S. ship that fired the missile, but a ship from another NATO country that was conducting joint exercises with the U.S.

If my speculation about the type of missile (a RAM-116 "rolling airframe missile") is correct, then I'm pretty sure that this partcular model was developed by Hughes as part of a joint U.S.-German initiative. The RAM-116 was originally designed as a last-ditch countermeasure to defend ships against an incoming cruise missile like an Exocet, but in the late 1990s a second-generation version of the RAM-116 was developed that would enable it to be used as an aircraft-intercept weapon.

One interesting characteristic of the RAM-116 is that it is not a heat-seeking missile, but finds its way to the target using the target's own radar signature.

Also of interest, the first Congressional authorization for the RAM-116 was passed in 1996, the same year as the TWA Flight 800 crash.

[Asmodeus]

"this article doesn't come close to proving that it is "no longer an accident". It strings together a number of interesting possible alignments, but then so does astrology. This article presents a theory, not proof."

That's because "the article" is a promo for a forthcoming book by Jack Cashill & Jim Sanders, the promo author is Cashill and the co-publisher of the book is

______________________________

No longer an accident! Editor's note: Jack Cashill and James Sanders will have eye-opening new information on the crash of TWA Flight 800 and its cover-up in their new book, "First Strike," due out early next year from WND Books, a partnership of WorldNetDaily and Thomas Nelson Publishers.
______________________________

Most assumed at the outset (including James Kallstrom) that Flight 800 was a "shootdown" victim because of the initial reports of a fiery streak followed immediately by a huge fireball. However, a U.S. satellite detected that Massive Fireball explosion about a mile above the surface, NOT at 13,800 feet where the Initial Event took place at 8:31:12. In short, the fiery events observed by the witnesses took place much later and much lower in the sky than initially assumed. The timeline and location of the major events of the TWA 800 disaster was approximately as follows:

8:31:11 Intact and climbing 747 approaches 13,800 feet.

8:31:12 Initiating Event at 13,800 feet followed immediately by the commencement of the decapitation process.

8:31:43-8:31:47 Streak of light appears.

8:31:47 Explosion of Massive Fireball at 5500-7500 feet.

8:31:55-8:31:57 Splashdown of the Massive Fireball flames.
Source - The "Missile Witnesses" Myth.

Prediction: The Cashill-Sanders new TWA 800 "shootdown" book will not include a sequential timeline of the major events.

It's impossible for anyone to publish a "shootdown" sequential timeline that's not in irreconcilable conflict with other known facts including the reports of their own Star "shootdown" witnesses. That's why there isn't a sequential timeline in any of the "shootdown" books or any of the "shootdown" websites. Only one "shootdown" conspiracy theorist has even publicly attempted it during the over six years that have now elapsed since the disaster ( click here).

Additionally, neither the "shootdown" nor "bomb" conspiracy theorists have been able after all those years to present the public with ANY physical evidence in support of their theories - or even a meaningful rebuttal of this.