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UPATED: FBI Denies Claims It Suspected Radical Cleric al-Awlaki of Purchasing Pre-9/11 Plane Tickets for Hijackers

Jan. 3, 2013 8:22pm Jason Howerton

Yemeni-American al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki

Update: The FBI is refuting claims it suspected Anwar al-Awlaki of purchasing plane tickets for 9/11 hijackers prior to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

From Fox News:

The FBI is refuting claims it suspected, less than a month after the 9/11 attack, that the American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki had purchased airline tickets for the 9/11 hijackers.

FBI spokeswoman Kathleen Wright cited a redacted FBI 2003 chronology titled “working draft chronology of events for hijackers and associates” to reinforce that the hijackers purchased their own tickets for cross-country surveillance flights in August 2001 and for another Florida flight in July of 2001. It included four references citing bank/and or credit card transactions linked to the hijackers.

[...]

“The FBI and investigating bodies have not found evidence connecting Anwar Al-Awlaki and the attack on 9/11/2001. The document referenced does not link Anwar Al-Awlaki with any purchase of airline tickets for the hijackers,” Wright said.

–

Prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, American Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki may have personally purchased plane tickets for several of the hijackers, including lead hijacker Mohammad Atta, according to recently released FBI documents.

The purpose of the Awlaki-purchased flights leading up to deadly attacks is still unclear, but the 9/11 Commission report claims the terrorists used flights leading up to the attacks to test security and surveillance.

FoxNews.com has more details:

The heavily redacted records – obtained by Judicial Watch through a Freedom of information Act request – show the FBI holding evidence tying the American-born cleric to the hijackers just 16 days after the attack that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.

“We have FBI documents showing that the FBI knew that al-Awlaki had bought three tickets for three of the hijackers to fly into Florida and into Las Vegas, including the lead hijacker, Mohammad Atta,” Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, told Fox News.

He added that the records show the cleric, killed in September 2011 by a U.S. drone strike in Yemen, “was a central focus of the FBI’s investigation of 9/11. They show he wasn’t cooperative. And they show that he was under surveillance.”

According to Judicial Watch, documents show al-Awlaki purchased the following plane tickets for some of the 9/11 hijackers:

Mohammed Atta, America West Airlines, 08/13/2001, for a flight from Washington, DC, to Las Vegas, Nevada, to Miami, Florida.

S. Suqami, Southwest Airlines, 07/10/2001, for a flight from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to Orlando, Florida.

Al-Sheri, National Airlines, 08/01/2001, for a flight from San Francisco, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, to Miami, Florida.

If the FBI documents are solid, it could raise some serious questions for both the Bush and Obama administrations. Al-Awlaki was reportedly invited to a Pentagon luncheon in February 2002, where he rubbed shoulders with high-ranking military personnel just months after 9/11, Fox News, among others reported in October 2010 [emphasis added]:

Documents exclusively obtained by Fox News, including an FBI interview conducted after the Fort Hood shooting in November 2009, state that Awlaki was taken to the Pentagon as part of the military’s outreach to the Muslim community in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.

The recent documents obtained by Judicial Watch indicate the FBI had information tying al-Awlaki to the attacks just 16 days after Sept. 11, 2001. If the American-born cleric still received an invite to an official Pentagon function after being flagged by the FBI, that would represent a significant intelligence and security failure on behalf of the federal government.

Fox News also previously reported that al-Awlaki was held at New York City’s JFK airport on Oct. 10, 2002, under a warrant for felony passport fraud. But FBI agent Wade Ammerman ordered the release of the cleric despite the active warrant for his arrest.

“Fox News’ reporting, which has not been publicly disputed by the bureau, suggests that after the 9/11 attacks the FBI tried to work with al-Awlaki or track him for intelligence purposes. Fitton says the newly released documents raise hard questions for two administrations,” Fox News reports.

“If he was working for us, to then kill him, that’s an extraordinary decision. And we need more information from the administration,” Judicial Watch’s Fitton added. “And remember this is not just about the Obama administration. A lot of what we are talking about goes back to the Bush administration. So the Bush administration and the Obama administration need to answer about how Awlaki was handled.”

Al-Awlaki was killed by a U.S. drone in Yemen in September 2011. Because he was an American, his death sparked some controversy as critics argued that the president should not authorize drone strikes against U.S. citizens.

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Comments (45)

toto
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 7:43pm
Sad fact of life is that it is up to patriots to support organizations like Judicial Watch if we have any hope of saving the Republic. Our own government is dominated by liars, incompetents, and outright traitors.

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BostonHarold
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:25pm
Some of the 9/11 nineteen were spirited into the country by an underground network of pro-Palestinian Islamists who gave them room and board. One of the perps was busted by the FBI in Tampa last year on an unrelated charge.

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qualityrkc
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 11:51am
Dissapointed to see all of the people bashing Obama while claiming bush was innocent. Try not to think as these two men as being opponnents and instead view them as being part of the same criminal cabal and things will start to make more sense. To say the cia invited this man without knowing the fbi flagged him is a conpiracy theory. The facts are right there. The cia is al quaeda.

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qualityrkc
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 11:44am
VERY surprised and delighted to see a story such as this featured on the blaze. Way to go Jason Howerton! Fact is people who have questioned the official government story of 9/11 are slowly but surely being vindicated after being called nuts for so long when in reality they were the ones doing the real research. 9/11 was americas version of the reichstag fire. They used it to garner support for a complete takeover of the ME which wouldn’t have been able to be acheived otherwise. And this isn’t a partisan issue. This cabal of internationalist criminals sit at the help of american power regardless of which party is in control bc they control both parties. Research the pentagon attacks, wtc 7, funding from pakistan ISI, and dancing Israelis caught on 9/11. Researching these instances will lead any reasonable person to believe that our government are the terrorists we should fear most and that the CIA and FBI are corrupted. Instead of solving crimes they hide them.

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jessieH
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 11:32am
It’s plain to see which side our government is on. That’s why we buy weapons.

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Force2bewreckin
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 10:05am
All the people who have tried to expose this have been called nuts and conspiracy theorists. Turns out they were right again. People need to start watching “loose change”, “zeitgeist”, “a noble lie” “the police state” and the “Obama deception”. These movies are free and on YouTube and have predicted so many things that have come true. Watch then even if you think it is complete nonsense and I bet your mind will be blown.

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hempstead1944
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 9:07am
Makes you wonder who’s side they really are on…….

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echo216610
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 7:25am
They all know exactly what they are doing, he was killed to silence the witness, it happens all the time.

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SamIamTwo
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 7:03am
Agencies not working together, eh? The Pentagon is like a massive wall that few get to climb. And as for the FBI, pfft they are simply the political police for DOJ. I know so cause I worked with them on a fraud case in the early 80′s…one of the first ones before trying to pull down LARGE companies…a mock case that cost the tax payers 2m bucks (1981 dollars not inflated for today’s cost)…So, not surprised.

Who is that knocking at my door?

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johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 6:00am
I have gone to the fbi.gov web site on numerous occasions to warn the FBI that their collective behavior will result in some prison sentences for FBI agents and Obama’s political appointees. I also sent Obama a RRR letter telling him the same thing. I use my legal name for posting on this site. if you folks are serious about making changes, time to man-up.

In my opinion, Obama, Muller, et al are traitors leading traitors and I’ve told them so.

“Remember Benghazi and all the Traitors!”

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Awakening Day
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 4:28am
Glad to see Beck and the Crew… Finally getting around to this story and waking up to it. The rabbit hole goes deeper then they are willing to admit yet..

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walmpus1
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:37am
What does the law say about anyone caught aiding, abedding, or harborig known terrorists or even suspected terrorists?

Ladies and Gentlemen: we have a SERIOUS problem in the nation with those at the helm. I am truly concerned for the future of the nation our forefathers died to create.

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- Awakening Day
  Posted on January 4, 2013 at 4:32am
  Don’t forget that his 16 year-old American son was killed by this drone attack as well. Totally illegal, no due process, The President was the Judge, Jury and executioner.
  
  Report this comment
zoro51
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 10:58pm
whom ever invited this MURDERER should be REMOVED AND RELOCATED TO IRAQ.. not allowed to live in the usa EVER AGIN.. the GALL having a KNOWN TERRORIST a MURDERING MUSLUMS be invited let alone to sit n eqat wiht americans FULLY KNOWING HE KILLED OUR PEOPLE.. no IF ITS OBAMA I DEMAND THA SELF PROCLAIMED DICTATOR TO BE IMPEACHED N REMOVED NOW

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valleyfever
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 10:15pm
The same government that wants to disarm it’s citizens…Hmmmm

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marybethelizabeth
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 10:13pm
Can you say “Tim Osman”?

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- WildschweinJager
  Posted on January 4, 2013 at 7:28am
  @MARY
  
  Can I please have a hot apple pie and a mcRib?
  
  Thanks
  
  Report this comment
ShamanWorld
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 10:05pm
You Republians deserve every ounce of misery that you have helped inflict on this country. Truth is, you middle to upper class, fairly intelligent, right wingers should have woken up to 9-11-01 being an inside job years ago. And Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld would be sitting in a prison cell. Look up Rumsfelds DOD briefing or press confrrences on 9-10-01. He knew something was about to happen. How could building 7 collapse like a demolition without being hit by planes or bombed?Al qaeda couldnt have possibly been able to plant explosives in building 7 or the towers prior to the day of attack. Our country is dying because alot of people have labeled truth tellers as conspiracy theorists, or like many Blazers prefer to say “truthers”. Whats wrong with the truth?

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- barber2
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 10:19pm
  Oh. Lord. The conspiracy theorists are here.
  
  Report this comment
- patriotsofworkingamerica
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 11:20pm
  If you only knew the truth. The truth is some real bad people did some real bad things and they are going to keep doing it no matter how much you sit around bashing “classes.” Right wing Bush bashing obviously does little to solve the problem. A perfect example is sitting in the Oval Office. Do you think it is all better now you cry baby?
  
  Report this comment
- WildschweinJager
  Posted on January 4, 2013 at 7:31am
  @Shaman
  
  Taliban is shooting school girls on school buses. What cowards the muslims are.
  
  Report this comment
FreeUsAll
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 10:03pm
This story does not shock me at all. It serves more as a confirmation. If the government is evil and corrupt, then it is incompetent. Either way, it needs to be trimmed way the hell back. Strike the root!

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vahunters
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:05pm
Some of you will have a problem with what I write. You want to believe that our govt cares about your wellbeing and wouldn’t do evil to maintain power and seize more control.
Its a known fact our govt created Al Qaeda to run the Soviets out of Afghanistan. Yes we recruited, trained, equipped and funded Bin Laden and all the other radicals from Middle east to do so.
Currently the Syrian “rebels’ which are committing the worst human atrocities against innocent civilians are really Al Qaeda and are being funded and supplied by the good ole USA. Same as the Libyan overthrow of Gaddaffi. Same as in Egypt. Al Qaeda works for the CIA.
Truth is Awlaki was a useful idiot for the Bush admin and CIA until he became a threat and might have threatened to release information relating to his involvement in the 9/11 attacks and his working for the CIA and Pentagon. That is why he was removed by drone attack.
Think about Benghazi, why would the US with tremendous mil assets in place nearby with ability to aid those on ground call off support unless they wanted the Ambassador dead? Think its timely that Hillary “fell” ? Maybe its so she can perjure herself in front of Congress and then blame the fall for her “forgetfulness”.
If you think your govt doesn’t create the crisis to usher in the solution you need to wake up.

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- nzkiwi
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:25pm
  I don’t have a problem with most of what you say. I do think that your suggestion that he was assassinated because of what he might reveal to be a bit of a stretch, however. It doesn’t quite fit with the rest of his story. I could be wrong.
  
  I agree with the rest of your post, however.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:33pm
  our government is not above any of it. There is no need to act like our government is run by good men. They have done unspeakable things before and we will never know the full extent of their sinister ways
  
  Report this comment
- FreeUsAll
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:49pm
  You connected all of the dots. The facts were all there in your statement and you connected all the dots. A very interesting theory, I might add. I will say that I believe you. The only other option being believing the crap the MSM panders.
  
  Report this comment
- nzkiwi
  Posted on January 4, 2013 at 8:18am
  I will say, Soy, that your government is majorly populated by decent men and women. I except the current administration and close supporters who have proven their duplicitousness on more than one occassion.
  
  They are, overwhemingly, decent people of quotidian upbringing who are struggling with monumental problems. We should bless the fact that such individuals as ourselves are not called upon to solve this gordian knot to the satisfaction of the disparate people who might have elected us.
  
  I feel for them; they are damned at every turn by people as patriotic as themselves, but who have a lesser understanding of the law of unintended consequences, and the art of the possible.
  
  That said; they would do themselves greater favour if they read these bills personally rather than relying upon the advice of minions. Their actions and behaviour are rightly transparent – visible to even myself at this great distance – and the truth always floats to the surface, no matter how much weight is applied.
  
  Few can be a Benjamin Franklin or such other founding father with which your nation was blessed, but I believe that almost the complete majority of representatives are patriots who struggle to do their best to reflect their elector’s wishes.
  
  Don’t overlook the fact that a voting landslide is almost always less than a 5% shift. If you should criticise anybody, it is the fellow American standing next to you in the supermarket or bar…
  
  Report this comment
SendTheMeteors
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 8:58pm
Bush was warned many time from many sources that Bin Laden was going to attack America, warnings he ignored. And you think Benghazi was a scandal?

So President Obama killed the guy, just like he did Bin Laden. A week hardly goes by when this country’s warriors don’t kill a bad guy. Here’s this week’s: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2013/0103/US-drone-strike-in-Pakistan-kills-influential-Taliban-commander

I’m having trouble reconciling Rush Limbaugh’s belief that our President is a Muslim, who loves terrorists, yet at the same time keeps killing these guys. Why would someone who loves a terrorist kill them? Doesn’t make sense to me.

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- RLTW
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:07pm
  Do you realize how many times we killed the #3 and above AQ from 01 to 08? I didn’t think so. Your dear leader is only benefiting from a military/intel/LEO structure built by Bush, so suck on that.
  
  Report this comment
- vahunters
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:09pm
  You’ve fallen into the strawman argument that muslims are to blame.
  Think for yourself. Research the Reichstag fire.
  Power corrupts and those with power want even more. So how do you create the need to grab more power and remove liberties? You hire some radicals who fought the soviets on our dime and pay them to fly airplanes into towers so we can introduce the patriot act, NDAA, helath care, and now the major attempt to disarm Americans of their rights. Its a slippery slope but nothing in politics happens on accident.
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:15pm
  SEND: The drones and the killings are being done by the military, the CIA, and the FBI . Obama failed to take any responsibility for Benghazi . So far the administration has only targeted the Secret Service and a few military men like Petraeus. The Chicago radicals are clever ,” organized, ” and following a carefully scripted agenda. Stay tuned.
  
  Report this comment
- woodyee
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:30pm
  VAHUNTERS – it would explain the current gayministration’s support of Al-Qaeda-linked fighters in Egypt, Libya, et al…
  
  Report this comment
- FreeUsAll
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:51pm
  Sadly, RLTW is correct.
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 10:22pm
  RLTW
  
  You are right.
  
  I read the declassified portion of the presidential brief where Bush was told there were 70 investigation into terrorism. Still don’t know who inserted that item about the investigations. That brief was not alarming. It is like with 70 investigation , when you got something you will let us know
  
  On one hand the left wants us to believe that Bush is an imperialist warmongering bent on conquering Middle Easter countries for their oil yada, yada. yada. I was not away that Afghanistan was in the Middle East. I thought it was in Central Asia. Rand McNally better change their maps. Maybe they can higher Meatballs to draw them with crayon. Does Afghanistan ship oil to world markets? They have a few small fields, but does a pipeline exist to the Indian Ocean? That would be a problem. :/
  
  On the other hand they want us to believe that he was waging war to avenge the assassination attempt on his father which they claimed never happened.
  
  Ya Bush the imperialist … That’s it. That is why he was visiting Mexican Vicente Fox & proposing amnesty with Senator McCain.
  
  Nope General Prosperity, Amnesty, NAFTA were his goals not warmongering. Funny how his brother is married to a Hispanic American, the Bush’s speak Spanish, Bush proposes Amnesty & pushed NAFTA, but somehow the Republican party is the racist.
  
  V The Real Bush V
  “The state visit will mark the fifth meeting for the two presidents in less than a year. ”
  http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/
  
  Report this comment
- walmpus1
  Posted on January 4, 2013 at 12:45am
  The less resistance you create by removing obstacles in your way, the easier the path to dictator ship.
  
  Report this comment
- DZ-015
  Posted on January 4, 2013 at 9:21am
  Sendthemstereo: Could you give a cite for your claim that Rush Limbaugh believes our president is a Muslim?
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 8:37pm
In a nutshell, Obammy and his administration MUST answer for the unConstitutional killing of an American citizen (which raises a multitude of questions about current immigration policies), and the Bush administration must answer for the lack of communicationbetween “law enforcement”* agencies.

* – the reason why I always encapsulate “law enforcement” in quotation marks is to emphasize that “enforcement” is what those people are hired to do, regardless of what the “laws” are – therefore, ALWAYS be vigilant – it’s your Constitutional duty.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:11pm
  Bojinka goes back to Clinton. Sandy Burger did not risk spending the rest of his life in prison by removing birthday invitations from the NSC illegally. They knew much more than they are telling us. And, the center-line fuel tank explosion of TWA 800 was a reproduction of Philippine Airlines Flight 434.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bojinka_plot
  
  Report this comment
MDECKER
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 8:37pm
We seem to know the Muslims who are terrorists. Do we know any Muslims that are not terrorists? How about listing the names and addresses of them in the newspaper along side all other law abiding citizens?

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progressiveslayer
Posted on January 3, 2013 at 8:33pm
If the American-born cleric still received an invite to an official Pentagon function after being flagged by the FBI, that would represent a significant intelligence and security failure on behalf of the federal government.

The government screw something up? No,not possible not to worry though because Barry has fixed all those issues,he put known members of the MB in our government so nothing bad could come of that. This regime has enough dirt to put five presidents in prison for life yet the Marxist POS remains in power.

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- BODYBAG
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 8:45pm
  @PROGRESSIVESLAYER
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 8:33pm
  This regime has enough dirt to put five presidents in prison for life yet the Marxist POS remains in power.
  ———————————————-
  True statement.
  When will citizens wake up and realize this REGIME is IMMINENTLY DANGEROUS.
  
  Report this comment
- Stelex
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 8:55pm
  He received his Allah medal. The MB has been in power in America for quite a while. There is a lot more going one than is obvious to one POV. Few in power have the whole picture, most only have pieces. It’s quite possible that many are doing one thing not realizing they are adding to something much bigger. Same thing big companies do…….everyone gets a piece. Builds that piece but only a few put the pieces together. Republicans get one piece, liberals another, the MB another progressives another, germany another brazil another………….get the picture. Only a few put it all together.
  
  Report this comment
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:02pm
  I think it may be too late already,a lot of people are just dense and can’t see the forest for the trees.They’re consumed with BS issues while their republic is dissolving right before their eyes.
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on January 3, 2013 at 9:02pm
  @Progressive:
  
  Given that the information involved is predominately from the Bush era, I imagine the leftist MSM will, along with the administration, use this to BLAME BUSH. Of course such is typical for them, yet the possibility of him having worked for us, again POSSIBLE, only to be executed on Obama’s illegal ‘kill US Citizens’ list, means Obama has even more blood to answer for.
  
  Every day more and more dark deeds of Obama come to light and nothing is done about them. How much longer until Obama’s insanity reaches the breaking point and he turns with force on the people of this land?
  
  Report this comment
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on January 4, 2013 at 8:27am
  snow It’s anyone’s guess with this regime but with Barry’s penchant for violence ie illegal kill list and his utter contempt for the constitution and bill of rights I think he could start his campaign of terror on us in a matter of months.
  
  Report this comment

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