Continued



The Moussaoui case is only one of a number of indications that the US government had ample warning that a major terrorist operation was under way in the United States and yet did nothing to preempt or block it.

  • The governments of at least four countries-Russia, Germany, Israel and Egypt-gave Washington specific warnings of terrorist attacks in the United States involving the use of hijacked airplanes as weapons, in the months leading up to September 11.

  • The US government itself had multiple indications of the danger of suicide operations, based on its own investigations into other attacks.

  • The US government was monitoring the electronic communications of bin Laden and his associates during the extensive period of advance planning which preceded the September 11 attack.

  • Several of the September 11 hijackers, including Mohammed Atta, the alleged ringleader, were under direct surveillance by US agencies as suspected terrorists during 2000 and 2001.Yet they were allowed to travel freely into and out of the US and eventually carry out their plans.

September 11 took place amid a virtual stand-down of the all critical security forces which allows for no innocent explanation. The circumstances of the terrorist attacks deserve the most acute and diligent investigation. Both the Bush administration and Congress have rejected any kind of probe on the grounds that to question the role of the FBI, CIA and other intelligence agencies is "unpatriotic". But the facts which are known so far point to the conclusion that officials at the highest levels of the US government knew that a major terrorist attack was under way and made no serious effort to prevent it.



Moussaoui, is accused of conspiring with Osama Bin Laden, the hijackers and others to commit the attacks on the US. Osama bin Laden has denied any involvement in these attacks, although within 24 hours he was pitched as the culprit and a short three weeks later, the US coalition began ousting the Taliban government on the grounds that they refused to surrender him to a non-Islamic court. This was right on schedule with the well publicized fact that the United States had planned to invade Afghanistan in early October 2001, long before the events of September 11th. With coalition partners still conducting operations some seven months later in war abolished Afghanistan, it should be noted that the much desired oil pipeline through the country is proceeding - full steam ahead.

Prosecutors in Moussaoui case say that he was under direction from Bin Laden and meant to be the 20th hijacker because the plane that crashed into a Pennsylvania field only had four hijackers on board, while the other three planes carried five. Drawing this conclusion doesn't pass the sniff text and considering the Flight school attendants where ignored by FBI and security officials and that he was in custody over immigration violations long before the attacks took place, this is too much of a stretch for even the most naïve of us. It appears that Moussaoui may very well be just another fall guy to dangle in front of the American public while gapping holes in the September 11th attacks are covered over.

Now Moussaoui, in a 50 minute address to the court April 22, 2002 has asked to dismiss his legal team that the court appointed him even though he had funds at the time to engage council. Describing himself as a "slave of Allah", he asked the US court for permission to represent himself or to appoint a Muslim lawyer to represent him. Moussaoui told the hearing that the case against him was "a sophisticated version of the kiss of death."They only need me for the gas chamber," he said.

US District Judge Leonie Brinkema has ordered a psychiatric evaluation to decide whether Moussaoui, who holds a master's degree in international business, is capable of defending himself. Facing six charges of conspiracy, including conspiracy to destroy aircraft, to murder US citizens and to use weapons of mass destruction, court papers accuse Moussaoui of having been "intentionally and specifically engaged in an act of violence, knowing that the act created a grave risk of death". Will someone please explain to me how this is possible when he was incarcerated at the time and not even the FBI, after being notified, paid him any attention?

Prosecutors have said Moussaoui's actions resulted in the deaths of about 3,000 people, the largest loss of life stemming from a criminal act in US history. They added he "has demonstrated a lack of remorse for his criminal conduct". Judge Brinkema's ruling on whether to allow him his own defense is expected shortly and I for one won't be at all surprised if Moussaoui is considered "incapable" of handling his own case. Regardless of the outcome one thing is absolute - the name of Allah will resound throughout the American halls of justice.

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