Associated Press writer was in a position to see documents in the US Defense department that were classified before. It's related to the September 11th attack.
The documents mentioned military intelligence unit known as "Able Danger'' who was esthablished with the purpose to identify potential al-Qaida operatives for U.S. Special Operations Command. And they did it. It was year 2000., one full year before attacks and they found out:
Able Danger identified Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi, Khalid al-Mihdar and Nawaf al-Hazmi as members of a cell the unit code-named "Brooklyn" because of some loose connections to New York City.
Let's remember that The September 11th Commission did not learn of any U.S. government knowledge prior to 9/11 of surveillance of Mohammed Atta or of his cell. Now, asked about it, Mr. Hamilton, a former Democratic congressman from Indiana said
"Had we learned of it obviously it would've been a major focus of our investigation."
The Commision spoke with military personnel during investigation, and it seems that officals could recall Able Danger story, but can't remember The military said them about Al Qaida cell and connections. So, military was silent on that part in front of offical investigators.
Does that mean The September 11th commision should arrange reviews of their conclusions and findings? Some 9/11 widows think so.
Latest evidence is pointing out on the fact that some officials inside Defense Department had a knowledge of Al Quaida cell in the US way back to 2000.
The latest revelation came last monday when Goverment Security News run a story that was later picked up by New York Times.
Congressmen Weldon is very vocal about the issue, and spoke this summer with local newspaper in Pa., and spoke on the Congres floor in July.
Weldon's sorces are former defense officials who worked for Able Danger team in Florida during 2000., and speak on the condition of anonimity. Weldon briefed representative Hoerkstra, the Michigan Republican.
The information about this development wasn't allowed ( DIA units ) to be shared with law enforcment agencies ( FBI) . They could be shared technicaly, but as Weldon says ( R-Pa., vice chairman of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security committees) , ''Pentagon lawyers rejected the recommendation because they said Atta and the others were in the country legally so information on them could not be shared with law enforcement ''.
FBI hadn't got information about the group at that time ( 2000. ). Why this piece of information wasn't forwared since the members of the cell were in the country on the visas and were not ''US persons'' ?
Whom was the information on the cell delivered ? They knew (DoD) they had to deal with potential enemies, so they must be put under some form of surviellance.
If FBI hadn't traced four young men of islamic descent during 2000. and 2001., then who did ?
FOLLOW UP:
Taipei Times Taiwan reports
The Times of India
St.Petersburg Times
Brad Blog
Deseret News
Asbury Park Press
Newark Star-Ledger
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