CatoCooper13
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Washington allowed members of Osama bin Laden's family to jet out of the US in the immediate aftermath of September 11, even as American airspace was closed, a senior official said.
Former White House counter-terrorism tsar Richard Clarke said the Bush Administration sanctioned the repatriation of about 140 high ranking Saudi Arabians, including relatives of the al-Qaeda chief.
"Somebody brought to us for approval the decision to let an aeroplane filled with Saudis, including members of the bin Laden family, leave the country," he told Vanity Fair.
Mr Clarke said he checked with FBI officials, who gave the go ahead.
"So I said, 'Fine, let it happen'."
He first asked the bureau to check that no one "inappropriate" was leaving.
"I have no idea if they did a good job. I'm not in any position to second guess the FBI."
Dale Watson, the FBI's former head of counter-terrorism, said that while the bureau identified the Saudis who were on the plane, "they were not subject to serious interviews or interrogations".
The plane is believed to have landed in 10 US cities picking up passengers, including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Boston and Houston.
At the time of the flight, access to US airspace was restricted and required special government approval.
Tom Kinton, director of aviation at Boston's Logan airport, said: "We were in the midst of the worst terrorist act in history and here we were seeing an evacuation of the bin Ladens! ... I wanted to go the highest levels in Washington."
But he said it was clear the flight had been sanctioned by federal authorities.
"We were told to let it come."
Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to the US who is said to have organised the exodus, met President George Bush on September 13 2001, two days after the terror attacks.
It is not known if they discussed the repatriation plan.
The White House has declined to comment on the claims, but sources told Vanity Fair the Bush administration was confident no secret flights took place.
Mr Clarke, who headed the Counter-terrorism Security Group of the National Security Council, said he did not recall who requested approval for the flights, but believes it was either the FBI or the State Department.
Special Agent John Iannarelli, the FBI's spokesman on counter-terrorism activities, said: "I can say unequivocally that the FBI had no role in facilitating these flights one way or another."
The wealthy bin Laden family broke ties with Osama bin Laden years before the September 11 strikes.
©AAP 2003
Former White House counter-terrorism tsar Richard Clarke said the Bush Administration sanctioned the repatriation of about 140 high ranking Saudi Arabians, including relatives of the al-Qaeda chief.
"Somebody brought to us for approval the decision to let an aeroplane filled with Saudis, including members of the bin Laden family, leave the country," he told Vanity Fair.
Mr Clarke said he checked with FBI officials, who gave the go ahead.
"So I said, 'Fine, let it happen'."
He first asked the bureau to check that no one "inappropriate" was leaving.
"I have no idea if they did a good job. I'm not in any position to second guess the FBI."
Dale Watson, the FBI's former head of counter-terrorism, said that while the bureau identified the Saudis who were on the plane, "they were not subject to serious interviews or interrogations".
The plane is believed to have landed in 10 US cities picking up passengers, including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Boston and Houston.
At the time of the flight, access to US airspace was restricted and required special government approval.
Tom Kinton, director of aviation at Boston's Logan airport, said: "We were in the midst of the worst terrorist act in history and here we were seeing an evacuation of the bin Ladens! ... I wanted to go the highest levels in Washington."
But he said it was clear the flight had been sanctioned by federal authorities.
"We were told to let it come."
Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to the US who is said to have organised the exodus, met President George Bush on September 13 2001, two days after the terror attacks.
It is not known if they discussed the repatriation plan.
The White House has declined to comment on the claims, but sources told Vanity Fair the Bush administration was confident no secret flights took place.
Mr Clarke, who headed the Counter-terrorism Security Group of the National Security Council, said he did not recall who requested approval for the flights, but believes it was either the FBI or the State Department.
Special Agent John Iannarelli, the FBI's spokesman on counter-terrorism activities, said: "I can say unequivocally that the FBI had no role in facilitating these flights one way or another."
The wealthy bin Laden family broke ties with Osama bin Laden years before the September 11 strikes.
©AAP 2003
Yeah, that would be great to eridicate them without making it look too suspicious! 
