Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Impeach George W. Bush -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Karen Lawrence who wrote (13043)	6/4/2002 2:52:49 PM
From: Karen Lawrence	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 93284

usatoday.com Timeline: Signs of possible terrorism and the government's response Debate over whether the U.S. government could have done more to prevent the Sept. 11 attacks focuses on several incidents: Date Incident Action taken December 1994 An al-Qaeda plot to blow up more than a dozen passenger jets simultaneously over the Pacific Ocean is exposed in the Philippines after what authorities call a "test bomb" detonates aboard a Philippine Airlines jet. One passenger is killed; several others are hurt. The plot also involved plans to fly an explosives-packed small plane into CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. U.S. aviation officials issue general security warnings to airlines and airports. December 2000 In a report to President Clinton, the CIA cites increasing signs of terrorist activities. Unclear. March 22, 2001 Security officials in the Federal Aviation Administration warn airlines and airports that U.S. intelligence officials "cannot rule out the possibility that one or more terrorist groups affiliated with (Osama) bin Laden" might carry out an attack. The FAA memo focused on concern that terrorists would put small bombs in luggage that would be left unattended in baggage-claim areas or other busy parts of airports. Airports are urged to watch for those who linger in non-secure areas. April-May 2001 The White House receives a specific threat from intelligence sources concerning possible al-Qaeda attacks on U.S. interests overseas. U.S. embassies in the Middle East and Africa are put on security alert. May 2001 In a briefing, CIA officials tell President Bush that there are signs of increased activity by al-Qaeda and that bin Laden's terrorist group might try to hijack U.S. airliners. Most potential threats seem to be overseas, the officials say. Bush tells officials that he wants to know more about the threats, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Thursday. June 22 FAA renews warning to airlines about terrorism concerns. No specific threat is mentioned. June 26 U.S. intelligence sources report to the White House that there is a "spike" in news about possible terrorist attacks. The State Department issues a worldwide alert urging U.S. government interests to operate with caution. July 2 FBI officials tell law enforcement agencies of threats to U.S. targets overseas. They say domestic attacks can't be ruled out. FAA reiterates its earlier warning to airlines and airports that a terrorist group might use explosives in a terminal. July 5 Intelligence officials tell the White House that non-specific terrorism threats are continuing to increase. President Bush tells national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to investigate what's being done about the reports of terrorism threats. July 6 White House officials meet to discuss what Rice later calls a "very high concern" about attacks in Paris, Rome and Turkey. Non-essential travel by U.S. counterterrorism staff is suspended. Mid-July Another "spike" in reported terrorism threats suggests that Bush might be a target during an economic summit in Italy, Rice says. CIA goes on a "full-court press" to disrupt possible attacks, Rice says. July 18 FAA tells airlines that there are ongoing terrorist threats overseas and urges "the highest level of caution." Late July In a memo to FBI headquarters, an agent in Phoenix urges the bureau to investigate the activities of Middle Easterners at U.S. flight schools. None. The memo does not make it beyond a midlevel unit chief at FBI headquarters in Washington. July 31 The FAA tells airlines that although there is no specific threat to U.S. civil aviation interests, terrorist groups are "known to be planning and training for hijackings." Aug. 6 At Bush's home in Crawford, Texas, he receives a briefing from the CIA indicating that al-Qaeda is interested in hijacking U.S. commercial airliners. The warning is not specific as to target, timing and location, Fleischer said Thursday. Before Bush was briefed, the information was passed to several agencies, including the State and Defense departments and the FAA. The FAA warns airlines and airports that supporters of al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups might attempt hijackings. Aug. 16 FBI and immigration officials in Minnesota arrest Zaccarias Moussaoui, a French-Moroccan, on immigration charges after he is reported to be acting suspiciously while training at a flight school. An FBI agent speculates in notes that Moussaoui might have been interested in flying a jet into the World Trade Center. After Sept. 11, Moussaoui is linked to al-Qaeda and charged with being part of the conspiracy that carried out the attacks. It's unclear whether the agent's concerns were passed on to top FBI officials before Sept. 11. FBI officials have not commented but have said that, in general, the Phoenix memo and the agent's notes about Moussaoui should have been examined more aggressively.