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CNN Live Today

FBI, CIA say 9/11 Attacks Almost Impossible to Stop

Aired June 18, 2002 - 14:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Today, the heads of the FBI and the CIA and the NSA are testifying for a congressional panel.

The closed door hearings are part of the Capitol Hill inquiry into the September 11 attacks.

Joining us now, CNN's congressional correspondent Kate Snow. What can you tell us -- Kate.

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

Well, these are three of the topmost officials here in Washington that deal with intelligence efforts.

This morning they started out with FBI Dir. Robert Mueller giving an opening statement, and we're also told they heard they heard from the CIA Dir. George Tenet.

Let me give you the headline, according to one lawmaker we spoke with. This lawmaker saying the sense from both of these gentlemen, from Mr. Tenet and Mr. Mueller, was that what went on in September, that plot on September 11, was so extraordinarily organized, so professional, so sophisticated, using every advantage of technology, taking advantage of the fact that the U.S. has a free society, that according to this lawmaker, the testimony today was that it would have been impossible, or almost impossible, to disrupt the plot.

And furthermore, this lawmaker said that it was indicated by Mr. Mueller and Mr. Tenet that they feel that it is almost certain that this group of people, these al Qaeda plotters, would be able to strike again.

Now, Sen. Bob Graham also spoke with one of our producers shortly after the morning session. They took a break now for lunch, and saying that they learned a lot more about the kinds of people who participated in the plot this morning. They learned about how some of these al Qaeda operatives, the hijackers, were recruited for this job.

The committee picks up again about 15 minutes from now. They go back behind closed door. They're going to be hearing from one more gentlemen. Now, this is someone who you might not know by name. This is director of the National Security Agency, or so-called NSA. His name the Lt. Gen. Michael Hayden. He directs that agency. He's been on the job there since 1999. Now, the NSA is an agency that's known as the ears of Washington. It eavesdrops, if you will, on non-Americans. That's its roll. He, at the agency, has staff that is comprised about half civilian and about half military, at the NSA.

Some 37 lawmakers are on this panel behind those closed door. Four of them have been selected out to question these three gentlemen this afternoon, to try to make things a little more orderly, Kyra.

Some of the members, we're told by staffers and also by some of the members themselves, that they've been complaining about how unruly this all is, because there are 37 people sitting in there, trying to ask question -- so many voices that it makes it difficult to move this process forward.

One Democrat said to us today, "It's really dragging in there."

Public hearings are scheduled for next week. Sen. Graham says that that's still a little bit up in the air, Kyra. They hope to decide by tomorrow, after they wrap up questioning these three gentlemen, which will continue into tomorrow, then they'll figure out if they can go forward with public open hearings, where our cameras can be in there, next week -- Kyra.

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