Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Congressional Inquiry Says Intelligence Officials Had Information That Might Have Helped Prevent 09/11

Aired September 19, 2002 - 05:06   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A congressional inquiry says U.S. intelligence officials had information that might have helped prevent the September 11 attacks. But the report also says intelligence agencies had no specific information as to when, where and how an attack could happen. The report was released by the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.
Stephen Push, whose wife was killed in the terrorist attacks, spoke at the hearing. He says the U.S. intelligence bureaucracy must be totally restructured.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN PUSH, 9/11 WIDOWER: Initially I thought 9/11 would be a wakeup call for the intelligence community. But I was mistaken. The intelligence agencies and the White House have assorted that no mistakes were made. They couldn't possibly have conceived that anyone would use commercial jets in suicide attacks on buildings, that al Qaeda -- they assorted that al Qaeda is impossible to penetrate.

Such a can't do attitude is profoundly un-American. It also raises the question of why taxpayers should continue to spend tens of billions of dollars annually on the intelligence community if it cannot protect us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Bob Graham says the goal isn't to pin blame, but to correct problems in the system.

Attorneys for six Buffalo area terror suspects argue for their clients' bail at a hearing this afternoon.

CNN's Susan Candiotti looks at the prosecution's case against the men.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The six defendants sat calmly, some taking notes, while the government tried to convince the court the men were too dangerous to set free on bond. Prosecutor William Hochul offering as proof an e-mail the FBI says was sent by defendant Mukhtar al-Bakri last July to an uncharged, unidentified person in western New York. The government called the e- mail "the big meal." It read, "How are you my beloved? God willing, you are fine. I would like to remind you the next meal will be very huge. No one will be able to withstand it, except for those with faith. There are people here who have visions and their visions were strong and their visions were explained that this will be very strong. No one will be able to bear it."

WILLIAM HOCHUL, ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY: What we said in court today is that Mr. Al-Bakri admitted that it referred to a large explosion which was being planned by al Qaeda against Americans.

CANDIOTTI: Prosecutors argue the men were easily able to travel to Afghanistan in the spring and summer of 2001. In the first group, three suspects who flew from New York City to Pakistan and paid about $1,300 each. Four men were in the second group, flying from Canada to London, the United Arab Emirates and then Pakistan. All but one spent about five weeks overseas.

Making the arrangements to get to the camp, suspect Kamal Derwish, who is not in custody. Government sources call him the recruiter, a major player. The FBI says defendant Sahim Alwan, admitted he went to the camp and spent only 10 days.

In what prosecutors call his confession, Alwan said, "On approximately the eighth day, I attended a speech given by Osama bin Laden concerning the alliance of the Islamic Jihad and al Qaeda. He also mentioned how important it is to train and fight for the cause of Islam. He also espoused anti-American and anti-Israeli statements. He had a large security detail at the prayer hall where he spoke."

The government charges the men were given code names at the camp and were trained by al Qaeda. The defense calls the prosecutor's evidence thin.

BILL CLAUSS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The issue right now is bail and the government has to prove today by clear and convincing evidence that they're a danger to the community. We don't think they've done that.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): The judge said he'll need clear and convincing evidence the community will be in danger if the men are set free on bond. There's been a lot of hype and speculation about this case, he said, and added, in his words, "The entire world has its eyes on these proceedings."

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Buffalo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Information That Might Have Helped Prevent 09/11>


Aired September 19, 2002 - 05:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A congressional inquiry says U.S. intelligence officials had information that might have helped prevent the September 11 attacks. But the report also says intelligence agencies had no specific information as to when, where and how an attack could happen. The report was released by the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.
Stephen Push, whose wife was killed in the terrorist attacks, spoke at the hearing. He says the U.S. intelligence bureaucracy must be totally restructured.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN PUSH, 9/11 WIDOWER: Initially I thought 9/11 would be a wakeup call for the intelligence community. But I was mistaken. The intelligence agencies and the White House have assorted that no mistakes were made. They couldn't possibly have conceived that anyone would use commercial jets in suicide attacks on buildings, that al Qaeda -- they assorted that al Qaeda is impossible to penetrate.

Such a can't do attitude is profoundly un-American. It also raises the question of why taxpayers should continue to spend tens of billions of dollars annually on the intelligence community if it cannot protect us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Bob Graham says the goal isn't to pin blame, but to correct problems in the system.

Attorneys for six Buffalo area terror suspects argue for their clients' bail at a hearing this afternoon.

CNN's Susan Candiotti looks at the prosecution's case against the men.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The six defendants sat calmly, some taking notes, while the government tried to convince the court the men were too dangerous to set free on bond. Prosecutor William Hochul offering as proof an e-mail the FBI says was sent by defendant Mukhtar al-Bakri last July to an uncharged, unidentified person in western New York. The government called the e- mail "the big meal." It read, "How are you my beloved? God willing, you are fine. I would like to remind you the next meal will be very huge. No one will be able to withstand it, except for those with faith. There are people here who have visions and their visions were strong and their visions were explained that this will be very strong. No one will be able to bear it."

WILLIAM HOCHUL, ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY: What we said in court today is that Mr. Al-Bakri admitted that it referred to a large explosion which was being planned by al Qaeda against Americans.

CANDIOTTI: Prosecutors argue the men were easily able to travel to Afghanistan in the spring and summer of 2001. In the first group, three suspects who flew from New York City to Pakistan and paid about $1,300 each. Four men were in the second group, flying from Canada to London, the United Arab Emirates and then Pakistan. All but one spent about five weeks overseas.

Making the arrangements to get to the camp, suspect Kamal Derwish, who is not in custody. Government sources call him the recruiter, a major player. The FBI says defendant Sahim Alwan, admitted he went to the camp and spent only 10 days.

In what prosecutors call his confession, Alwan said, "On approximately the eighth day, I attended a speech given by Osama bin Laden concerning the alliance of the Islamic Jihad and al Qaeda. He also mentioned how important it is to train and fight for the cause of Islam. He also espoused anti-American and anti-Israeli statements. He had a large security detail at the prayer hall where he spoke."

The government charges the men were given code names at the camp and were trained by al Qaeda. The defense calls the prosecutor's evidence thin.

BILL CLAUSS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The issue right now is bail and the government has to prove today by clear and convincing evidence that they're a danger to the community. We don't think they've done that.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): The judge said he'll need clear and convincing evidence the community will be in danger if the men are set free on bond. There's been a lot of hype and speculation about this case, he said, and added, in his words, "The entire world has its eyes on these proceedings."

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Buffalo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Information That Might Have Helped Prevent 09/11>