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American Morning

Target: Terrorism - Links to bin Laden

Aired October 03, 2001 - 10:02   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.
KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now, as for the investigation into the terrorist attacks three weeks ago, the search continues for possible associates of the alleged hijackers with much of the focus now overseas.

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(voice-over): The U.S. has convinced many of its allies it has enough evidence to directly link the September 11th attacks to Osama bin Laden's terrorist network al Qaeda, based in Afghanistan.

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: We believe there is evidence that makes it clear that the roots of this activity were in Afghanistan. And we believe that the branches of the activity not only found their way to the United States of America, but were present in substantial ways in Europe.

ARENA: Sources tell CNN the evidence presented to the allies includes specific information that at least four of the alleged hijackers trained in al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan; telephone intercepts recording conversations between al Qaeda members; surveillance information and specifics regarding money transfers between the alleged hijackers and associates in the Middle East and elsewhere.

GEORGE ROBERTSON, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: The facts are clear and compelling. The information presented points conclusively to an al Qaeda role in the 11th of September attacks.

ARENA: And new evidence concerning Zacharias Moussaoui, a man the FBI has in custody who investigators believe may have been part of the September 11th plot. He raised suspicions in August when he went to a Minnesota flight training school, but was not interested in learning to land or take off. He also asked about flying over New York airspace.

Sources say FBI agents asked, but were not given permission by superiors to open up his computer hard drive when he was picked up for immigration violations a month before the attacks. Sources say that's because there was not enough information to justify a required warrant at the time, even though U.S. officials did receive warnings from the French about possible terrorist connections.

After the attack, agents did gain access and found information relating to crop dusters. But no details of any plans or terrorist plot.

One document investigators say does give some insight into the mind of a suspected hijacker, sources say Mohamed Atta left a will behind, found in his luggage at Boston's Logan Airport. The last wishes, first obtained by the German magazine, "Der Spiegel," were written back in 1996 and include very specific instructions. For example, Atta wrote:

"Those who will sit beside my body must remember Allah, God, and pray for me to be with the angels."

"I don't want pregnant women or a person who is not clean to come and say goodbye to be, because I don't approve of it."

"I don't want women to go to my funeral, or later to my grave. I only want to be buried next to good Muslims. My face should be directed east toward Mecca."

" A third of my money would be donated to the poor and needy. My books I will give to one of the mosques."

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(on camera): Sources tell CNN, investigators are focusing on money transfers made by Atta to track down possible associates. From the information gathered so far, sources also say that the total amount spent by the terrorists on the operation remains at about $500,000, but they say that figure may rise. Bill?

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Kelli. Kelli Arena in Washington.

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