U.S. Rejects Saudi Request to Declassify Report on 9/11

U.S. Rejects Saudi Request to Declassify Report on 9/11

NewsMax.com Wires and NewsMax.com
Wednesday, July 30, 2003

WASHINGTON – The United States won't declassify any part of a congressional intelligence report on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist bombings.

Saudi Arabia had sought the action, which was turned down just hours before Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Faisal was to appeal to President Bush in Washington.

Saudi Arabia wanted 28 redacted pages in the 900-page report released to clear up speculation they contained information linking Saudi Arabia to the terrorist attacks.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the decision not to release the information was made after consultations with senior intelligence officials.

"We cannot agree to that request at this time because of ongoing investigations and our national security interests," McClellan said.

Bush: 'It Doesn't Make Sense'

"There's an ongoing investigation into the 9/11 attacks, and we don't want to compromise that investigation," Bush told reporters after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and before meeting the Saudi foreign minister. "If people are being investigated, it doesn't make sense for us to let them know who they are.

"We have an ongoing war against al-Qaeda and terrorists, and the declassification of that part of a 900-page document would reveal sources and methods that will make it harder for us to win the war on terror."

Saudi Foreign Minister: 'Nothing to Hide'

Faisal said Tuesday afternoon after meeting with the president: "We have nothing to hide. And we do not seek, nor do we want to be, shielded."

Release of the classified pages would allow the Saudi government to clear up any allegations he said.

Anyone who suggests that Bush would cover up for terrorists "must be out of touch with reality," Faisal said.

The Saudi regime is furious about the 28 pages dealing with allegations against the kingdom.

"People who saw the section have said it focuses on the role foreign governments played in the hijackings, but centers almost entirely on Saudi Arabia," the New York Times reported.

The Washington Post said: "The declassified section refers only to 'foreign support.' But officials from various branches of the U.S. government said those two words refer to Saudi Arabia."

A number of congressional leaders have also called for its declassification, but the administration has remained firm in denying the requests.

Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., who is running for his party's presidential nomination, said Monday that releasing the entire report would "permit the Saudi government to deal with any questions which may be raised in the currently censored pages, and allow the American people to make their own judgment about who are our true friends and allies in the war on terrorism."

Most of the participants in the al-Qaeda attacks of 9/11 were Saudi citizens.

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