Agents: Clinton-Reno DOJ Nixed FBI Terrorist Probe

NewsMax.com ^ | 12/19/02 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

The Clinton-Reno Justice Department refused to allow two veteran FBI agents assigned to the anti-terrorist probe to investigate a key figure tied to Osama bin Laden.

According to ABC News correspondent Brian Ross today, the two agents told him they were ordered to stop investigations into a suspected terror cell linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and the Sept. 11 attacks.

FBI special agents Robert Wright and John Vincent told Ross they were called off criminal investigations of suspected terrorists linked to the deadly bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa. U.S. officials say al-Qaeda was responsible for the embassy attacks and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

"September the 11th is a direct result of the incompetence of the FBI's International Terrorism Unit. No doubt about that. Absolutely no doubt about that," Wright said. "You can't know the things I know and not go public."

Noting that, with growing terrorism in the Middle East in the mid-1990s, Wright and Vincent, then based in Chicago, were assigned to track a connection to a suspected terrorist cell that would later lead them to a link with Osama bin Laden. Wright told Ross that when he pressed for authorization to open a criminal investigation into the money trail, his supervisor stopped him.

Let Sleeping Dogs Train

"Do you know what his response was? 'I think it's just better to let sleeping dogs lie,'" Wright told Ross. "Those dogs weren't sleeping. They were training. They were getting ready."

"Truthfully, if 9/11 had not occurred, we wouldn't be here" giving the interview, said Vincent, a 27-year veteran at the bureau until he retired a few days after being interviewed by ABC News. "Because of 9/11, we're here because we see the danger."

The suspected terrorist cell in Chicago was the basis of the investigation, yet Wright, who is still with the FBI, says he soon learned that all the FBI intelligence division wanted him to do was to follow suspected terrorists and file reports - but make no arrests.

'I Forbid You'

"The supervisor who was there from headquarters was right straight across from me and started yelling at me: 'You will not open criminal investigations. I forbid any of you. You will not open criminal investigations against any of these intelligence subjects,'" Wright said.

Ross says that despite the fact that the agents were on a terrorism task force and said they had proof of criminal activity, Wright reported he was told not to pursue the matter.

Saudi Connection

Ross recalled that after al-Qaeda terrorists bombed two American embassies in Africa in 1998, Wright and Vincent said that some of the money for the attacks led back to the people they had been tracking in Chicago and to a powerful Saudi Arabian businessman, Yassin al-Kadi. Al-Kadi is one of 12 Saudi businessmen suspected of funneling millions of dollars to al-Qaeda and who had extensive business and financial ties in Chicago.

Chicago federal prosecutor Mark Flessner was assigned to the case despite efforts Wright and Vincent say were made by superiors to block the probe. Flessner told Ross that the two agents were helping him build a strong criminal case against al-Kadi and others.

"There were powers bigger than I was in the [Janet Reno] Justice Department and within the FBI that simply were not going to let it happen. And it didn't happen," Flessner said.

He added that he still can't figure out why Washington stopped the case - whether it was Saudi influence or bureaucratic ineptitude.

"I think there were very serious mistakes made," said Flessner. "And I think, it perhaps cost, it cost people their lives ultimately."

"Perhaps most astounding of the many mistakes, according to Flessner and an affidavit filed by Wright, is how an FBI agent named Gamal Abdel-Hafiz seriously damaged the investigation," Ross reported.

'A Muslim Doesn't Record Another Muslim'

Wright told him that Abdel-Hafiz, who is Muslim, refused to secretly record one of al-Kadi's suspected associates, who was also Muslim. Wright says Abdel-Hafiz told him, Vincent and other agents that "a Muslim doesn't record another Muslim."

"He wouldn't have any problems interviewing or recording somebody who wasn't a Muslim, but he could never record another Muslim," said Vincent.

P.C. Mania

Wright told Ross he "was floored" by Abdel-Hafiz's refusal and immediately called the FBI headquarters. Their reaction surprised him even more: "The supervisor from headquarters says, 'Well, you have to understand where he's coming from, Bob.' I said no, no, no, no, no. I understand where I'm coming from," said Wright.

"We both took the same damn oath to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic, and he just said no? No way in hell."

Far from being reprimanded, Abdel-Hafiz was promoted to one of the FBI's most important anti-terrorism posts, the American Embassy in Saudi Arabia, to handle investigations for the FBI in that Muslim country.

And on Sept. 11, 2001, Wright and Vincent watched in horror at a deadly terrorist attack that could have been foreseen and prevented had the FBI and the Clinton-Reno Justice Department listened to them back in the 1990s.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Al-Qaeda
Clinton Scandals
Homeland/Civil Defense
Janet Reno
Middle East
War on Terrorism

[baseballmom]

Just finished watching the interview on ABC. They told their story of tracking terrorist cell in Chicago and were told to back off. An FBI colleague, who was a Muslim, refused to wear a wire and tape Khalid(?) because "a muslim doesn't tape another Muslim". Flabbergasted, to say the least. Muslim FBI guy was promoted - to special agent in Riyahd!!! This was all during the late 1990's. Reich (FBI guy) kept pushing his superiors, right up to Jan 2001, to no avail. Then Sept 11.

The recent bust of that company in Boston, who provided software to the FBI and other Govt agencies, allegedly was run by Khalid(I think that is his name - a cohort of bin Laden)

At the end of the interview, Diane Sawyer says that the Bush administration will answer questions during the new investigation panel. Sort of implying that Bush admin. was the one to blame. Unbelievable. No mention of who was President of Atty. Gen while all this was happening.

[Jonathan]

Well if we get Reno that counts towards Waco. Perhaps their scaffolds could be memorialized at the Tomb of the Martyrs at Ground Zero?

Too many good people and innocent people have died because of their wickedness.

And while no one today has the courage to prosecute them, I am certain that their is a day and their is a Judge who will judge them with righteousness. And on that Great Day, when their lies will not work, I will be their and shout "AMEN!" as they are led to the lake of fire for the eternal punishment that they have earned.

[Illbay]

You can forget it--unless you want to continue the sort of political naivete that has been very apparent here on FR of late.

Clinton has political cover, and he will ALWAYS have political cover.

Unlike the Republicans, Democrats tend to understand that an attack on any of their most prominent figures is an attack on their party.

This past week or so, the Pubbies have PROVEN they don't understand the concept of damage control (and FR has been the poster-child for ignorance during this period), but the Democrats have ALWAYS played that game to perfection.

If anyone with any credibility even BEGINS to hint that they will look into any such allegations, the Dem Destruction Machine will crank up louder and more vicious than ever.

Bottom Line: Just forget about this, let's think about the future and realize that the judgement of every man and woman is ultimately going to come at the bar of God.

[Illbay]

You can forget it--unless you want to continue the sort of political naivete that has been very apparent here on FR of late.

Clinton has political cover, and he will ALWAYS have political cover.

Unlike the Republicans, Democrats tend to understand that an attack on any of their most prominent figures is an attack on their party.

This past week or so, the Pubbies have PROVEN they don't understand the concept of damage control (and FR has been the poster-child for ignorance during this period), but the Democrats have ALWAYS played that game to perfection.

If anyone with any credibility even BEGINS to hint that they will look into any such allegations, the Dem Destruction Machine will crank up louder and more vicious than ever.

Bottom Line: Just forget about this, let's think about the future and realize that the judgement of every man and woman is ultimately going to come at the bar of God.

[Uncle Bill]

George has moved on. To Amnesty and stuff.

Attorney General John Ashcroft Picks Arthur Andersen For FBI Review

Ashcroft to Make it Official: Clintons Are Above the Law

Bill Clinton broke the law and the Republicans let him off the hook.

What we need is the tough Newt Gingrich back.

"As far back as April 7, 1998, then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich was asked on NBC’s Today if he were going to press for impeachment. His response: "No, we don’t have any evidence."
Source.

Al Gore Broke The Law and the Republicans let him off the hook.

"I don’t care if you have proof that he raped a woman, stood up and shot her dead, you’re still not going to get 67 votes."

Bush Says He Wants to Let Clinton 'Move On'
"Listen, here's my view: I think it's time to get all of this business behind us. I think it's time ... to allow the president to finish his term, and let him move on and enjoy life and become an active participant in the American system. And I think we've had enough focus on the past. It's time to move forward." - George W. Bush.

Bush Won't Dwell On Clinton Affair, "We're Moving Forward"
"B/S, Mr Bush. Clinton is a criminal and a traitor. We demand a thorough investigation and prosecution. Our Republic is dead and our liberty is at stake if the next administration does not clean up this mess for now and forever more. Corrupt politicians must pay the price for subverting our Constitution and using their offices for personal gain."
4 Posted on 01/20/2000 14:17:56 PST by Jim Robinson

Hoo-yah!

INSIGHT MAGAZINE - "The Bush administration has been "as bad, if not worse" than the Clinton administration when it comes to the transfer of sensitive technologies to the People's Republic of China"

FBI chief (Mueller) skewed Sept 11 facts

Warnings Inside the FBI

FBI chief Mueller says anti-terror efforts 'exceptionally successful'

An Accountable FBI: Robert Mueller should resign

FBI Chief Mueller Expresses Support for Muslim Group

"We're not looking for individuals of any particular religion or from any particular country."
FBI Director Robert Mueller - SOURCE

Blinded Vigilance
"While the terrorists and their sponsors were plotting to hijack airliners and crash them into Manhattan skyscrapers and the Pentagon, senior CIA officials were compelling analysts and operations officers to attend sensitivity-training classes and sew diversity quilts. That is a fact."

Bush hugs FBI and CIA, hands out Chinese lollipops

[Illbay]

Has nothing to do with FBI files. It has to do with any such attempt to seriously look into the crimes of the Clinton administration being stonewalled, and any such investigators systematically destroyed.

It wasn't FBI files that caused Kenneth Starr to become the personification of "evil Republicans" during the impeachment investigation. It was the Dem Destruction Machine.

[concerned about politics]

Boy am I glad the Clinton /Gore regime is gone. By now, we'd all be dead.
I can imagine what's in the Clinton files. Bush probably had them sealed so the American people couldn't learn of the horrors still heading our way.
Not only did the Clinton national policies almost destroy the nation, but his lack of foriegn policies may be responsible for destroying the world.
Think 666.

[StriperSniper]

Ms. Dirtbag Janet 'I-hump-tiny-girls-with-massive-zuchinis' Reno ....

We never did see those Traficant videos....hmmm....YUCK!

[concerned about politics]

I, for one, am still hoping. Actually, I think Bubba will pi$$ off someone with enough money to have him wacked

An angry husband.

[JustPiper]

Just saw these two brave men on Primetime and I would like to give kudos for at least two agents we've heard from who had the guts to speak out. Wasn't there a female agent from Texas that spoke out to how she was quelched and told the same thing? How many agents have come out since 911? Anyone?

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Will Bill Clinton or Janet Reno ever stand trial for treason?"

While it would be the culmination of a fantasy to see that happen, I am afraid it will not. At least it won't based on this.

The best charge here, if one actually had proof directly linking Reno and Clinton to the middle management idiot who directly gave the order to stop the investigation, would possibly be gross criminal negligence.

But to overcome the constitutional requirements for finding someone guilty of treason, you would need either for Reno or Clinton to do a confession while under oath, or two (I think two) independent witnesses to the act.

Fat chance.

[Mr. Mojo]

It wouldn't surprise me if Clinton and Dubya had an agreement (although it was perhaps unspoken) -- the former would keep his mouth shut and not criticize the current administration, and the latter wouldn't reveal the mass corruption/treason of the former. Clinton has broken his end of the bargain several times, and payback will be a b/tch.

[Republican_Strategist]

Clinton's Bin Laden-gate - Mother of all Scandals

[concerned about politics]

Clinton has broken his end of the bargain several times, and payback will be a b/tch.

I'd like to see something HUGE come out. One big grand slam. Oh I wish, I wish, I wish. *sigh*

[ninenot]

Like any other workplace, 95% of the people are just fine, regular folks. It's the 5% who slime up the whole place.

Unfortunately, sometimes the 5% are identical to "all the bosses."--see Enron for an example.

[ninenot]

This past week or so, the Pubbies have PROVEN they don't understand the concept of damage control (and FR has been the poster-child for ignorance during this period), but the Democrats have ALWAYS played that game to perfection.

Your admiration of the Democrats is noted.

YOur utter lack of principles is also noted.

Vacant Lott was stupid, irresponsible, and probably half-loaded when he ran his mouth prior to engaging brain.

We won't mention his prior 'taking a dive,' except to note that the FBI files on him must have been pretty juicy--or Clinton would have had a REAL trial.

When you're the Majority Leader of the Senate, you have to be just a bit better and smarter. Lott isn't either.

[Uncle Bill]

"It wouldn't surprise me if Clinton and Dubya had an agreement (although it was perhaps unspoken) -- the former would keep his mouth shut and not criticize the current administration, and the latter wouldn't reveal the mass corruption/treason of the former."

Now you won't have to be surprised anymore.

"A Bush administration insider has privately leaked word that a deal was struck between Democratic congressional leaders and the Bush White House not to prosecute Bill and/or Hillary Clinton on an array of charges"

A Day In The Life Of George W. Bush

[Djarum]

US special agents were told to back off the bin Laden family and the Saudi royals soon after George Bush became president, although that has all changed since September 11, it was reported today.

[honway]

Coleen Rowley's Memo to FBI Director Robert Mueller

5) During the early aftermath of September 11th, when I happened to be recounting the pre-September 11th events concerning the Moussaoui investigation to other FBI personnel in other divisions or in FBIHQ, almost everyone's first question was "Why?--Why would an FBI agent(s) deliberately sabotage a case? (I know I shouldn't be flippant about this, but jokes were actually made that the key FBIHQ personnel had to be spies or moles, like Robert Hansen, who were actually working for Osama Bin Laden to have so undercut Minneapolis' effort.)

---------------------------------------------------------

This complex enigma would be much more simple if we could simply point the finger at Clinton and Reno and ignore the reality staring us in the face. The role of Khalid Sheik Mohammed is the reality no one in either party wants to look at.

[Humidston]

There are times when I have this overwhelming urge to push away from my computer and take a shower. This is one of those times...