Probe of Intercepted Messages Focuses on Shelby : Wash Post

Probe of Intercepted Messages Focuses on Shelby
Justice Department Investigating Leak of Classified NSA Material Regarding Sept. 11 Attacks
By Dana Priest and Allan Lengel

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36876-2004Jan21.html
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, January 22, 2004; Page A02


The Justice Department's 18-month investigation into the leak of classified intercepted messages is focusing on Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), who was chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence at the time of the disclosure, according to a law enforcement official and congressional sources.


A grand jury has been hearing information and has taken the testimony of at least two witnesses, including Shelby's former press secretary, sources said. The investigation centers on the disclosure in 2002 that the National Security Agency had intercepted two messages on the eve of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks signaling that something was to happen the next day. The cryptic messages were not translated until Sept. 12.



On June 19, 2002, CNN, citing "two congressional sources," quoted phrases contained in two classified NSA intercepts from Sept. 10, 2001, that hinted of an impending terrorist operation. The intercepts included the phrases "The match begins tomorrow" and "tomorrow is zero day." This information was revealed by NSA's director, Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael V. Hayden, during a closed session of a joint House-Senate panel investigating the Sept. 11 attacks.


At the time, Vice President Cheney chastised committee members publicly about the disclosure of sensitive information. Critics said the administration was trying to stop public disclosure of embarrassing information about the lapses in intelligence and security surrounding the attacks.

Cheney's criticism prompted the House and Senate intelligence committees to encourage an FBI investigation of themselves. Within two months, FBI agents had the phone records, appointment calendars and schedules of 17 senators and had questioned more than 100 people, including all 37 members of the committee and about 60 staff members.

To those who aren't slavishly compliant? Even from their own party?

factor in the attacks, since the pilots were not trained on instrument flying. I would love to find the commentator who said this. I heard it once, and never again, because it apparently didn't fit into the propaganda.

They could not fly in foul weather.

Look at the New York Times for the weather report for 9/10. Cloudy skies. For 9/11? Clear.

Another "claim" was that OBL was caught on tape telling somebody else that he "knew" 9/11 was the date.