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American Morning

Little-Known Figure in Al Qaeda Played Bigger Role in 09-11 Than Previously Thought

Aired June 05, 2002 - 09:01   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Up front this morning, new information is emerging today about a terrorist indicted back in 1996 linking him to the 9/11 attacks. CNN national security correspondent David Ensor has been tracking the story. He joins us now from Washington.

Good morning, David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

U.S. officials now believe that a previously little-known figure in al Qaeda played much more important role until they had thought until now in the September 11th plot. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, officials say, was instrumental and possibly pivotal in the plot, though he was not, as some reports have suggested, quote, "the mastermind of the attacks."

The information comes in part from the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, the al Qaeda operation's chief who has been in U.S. custody for months now. U.S. officials say they know Zubaydah is trying to play up the role of others and downplay his own responsibility, but that certain information he has given then only the activities of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed has checked out with other intelligence information.

Now Mohammed was indicted, as you mentioned, in 1996, in connection with the unsuccessful plot by Ramzi Yousef and others to down Western airliners over the Pacific Ocean in 1995. He was indicted; he is believed to have a major financial role in the September 11th attacks. And there is some disagreement among law enforcement officials as to how important Mohammed's role may have been.

Some believe he proposed the specific idea to Osama bin Laden. Others argue that the plot had a number of authors and that bin Laden and former al Qaeda figure Mohammed Atef, who's now dead, and Abu Zubaydah, were also key leaders of the attack on the U.S.

So again, they've come to the view that this man is a crucial, possibly a pivotal, member of the plot to attack the United States on September 11th. Not the mastermind, but certainly a key figure, Paula.

ZAHN: David, what is the sense of where the investigation will go from here?

ENSOR: Well they will be continuing to interrogate Abu Zubaydah and check what he says against other intelligence information. They want to try to narrow down exactly who was behind this plot, who played what roles. And obviously they are looking for Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. They believe him to be in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

ZAHN: All right. David Ensor, thanks so much for that report.

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