WorldNetDaily: Easy visas explain Saudi hijackers: "DAY OF INFAMY 2001
Easy visas explain Saudi hijackers
Al-Qaida mastermind describes subplot to 9-11 attack
Posted: September 11, 2003
6:38 p.m. Eastern
� 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
The self-described mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks says it was no accident 15 of the 19 suicide hijackers were Saudis and that they were used for practical and 'political' reasons.
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed told his CIA interrogators the Saudis were initially chosen because it was easier for them to get visas than for recruits from other Arab countries like Yemen, a Saudi official with direct knowledge of Mohammed's interrogations told reporters in Washington this week.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he learned about the conversation with Mohammed from U.S. officials. CIA officials declined to comment on the interrogation. United Press International said another unnamed diplomat confirmed the information.
Mohammed was arrested in Pakistan last March and remains in U.S. custody in an undisclosed location.
According to the Saudi official, Mohammed said al-Qaida leaders thought the nationality would not 'ring a bell' when it came to security screening.'
They were right. Prior to 9-11, the focus of screening was preventing Saudis from overstaying their visas and settling in the U.S. UPI reports Saudi Arabia was one of several countries where the 'Visa Express' program operated, in which travel agencies or other middlemen assisted applicants with filling out forms and delivered their documents to the embassy. Under this program, less than one in 10 applicants were interviewed and the vast majority were nodded through."
Easy visas explain Saudi hijackers
Al-Qaida mastermind describes subplot to 9-11 attack
Posted: September 11, 2003
6:38 p.m. Eastern
� 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
The self-described mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks says it was no accident 15 of the 19 suicide hijackers were Saudis and that they were used for practical and 'political' reasons.
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed told his CIA interrogators the Saudis were initially chosen because it was easier for them to get visas than for recruits from other Arab countries like Yemen, a Saudi official with direct knowledge of Mohammed's interrogations told reporters in Washington this week.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he learned about the conversation with Mohammed from U.S. officials. CIA officials declined to comment on the interrogation. United Press International said another unnamed diplomat confirmed the information.
Mohammed was arrested in Pakistan last March and remains in U.S. custody in an undisclosed location.
According to the Saudi official, Mohammed said al-Qaida leaders thought the nationality would not 'ring a bell' when it came to security screening.'
They were right. Prior to 9-11, the focus of screening was preventing Saudis from overstaying their visas and settling in the U.S. UPI reports Saudi Arabia was one of several countries where the 'Visa Express' program operated, in which travel agencies or other middlemen assisted applicants with filling out forms and delivered their documents to the embassy. Under this program, less than one in 10 applicants were interviewed and the vast majority were nodded through."
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