Reply #9: AP: 9/11 Commission Wants Atta Claims Pursued (everyone mad as hell)

[dooner]

By KIMBERLY HEFLING,
Associated Press Writer Wed Aug 10, 4:43 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Members of the Sept. 11 commission want to know whether defense intelligence officials knew four of the hijackers were part of an al-Qaida cell but failed to tell law enforcement. Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the now-disbanded commission, said Tuesday that members of the panel could issue a statement by the end of the week after reviewing claims that officials had identified ringleader Mohamed Atta and three other hijackers.

"The 9/11 commission did not learn of any U.S. government knowledge prior to 9/11 of surveillance of Mohamed Atta or of his cell," said Hamilton, a former Democratic congressman from Indiana. "Had we learned of it, obviously it would've been a major focus of our investigation."

A group of 9/11 widows called the September 11th Advocates issued a statement Wednesday saying they were "horrified" to learn that further possible evidence exists, and they are disappointed the 9/11 Commission report is "incomplete and illusory." "The revelation of this information demands answers that are forthcoming, clear and concise," the statement said. "The 9/11 attacks could have and should have been prevented."

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If the team did identify Atta and the others, it's unclear why the information wasn't forwarded. The prohibition against sharing intelligence on "U.S. persons" should not have applied since they were in the country on visas and did not have permanent resident status. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said he was unaware of the intelligence until the latest reports surfaced.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050810/ap_on_go_co sept_11_hijackers;_ylt=AqMmWE7rNgqKJBZruLkD6U9G2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl