Pentagon: Terror Boss Confesses

Statement Read At Military Trial Quotes Him Claiming Responsibility "From A To Z"

(CBS/AP)  The Pentagon has released a transcript of a military trial at Guantanamo Bay which says that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, a suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, has confessed to a leadership role in that attack and a string of others.

"I was responsible for the 9/11 operation from A to Z," Mohammed is quoted as saying in a statement that was read Saturday at a session of his military trial.

According to the transcript, Mohammed claimed responsibility for planning, financing, and training others for bombings ranging from the 1993 attack at the World Trade Center to the attempt by would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid to blow up a trans-Atlantic flight with explosives hidden in his shoes.

In all, Mohammed is quoted as saying that he was responsible for planning 28 individual attacks, including many that were never executed. The comments are in a 26-page transcript released by the Pentagon, which blacked out some of his remarks.

"This so-called confession probably dooms him to a future death sentence," says CBS News legal consultant Andrew Cohen. "There are some close cases down there, some false charges, but this isn't one of them. It's only if he somehow makes it into federal court that his statements could be successfully challenged."

The Pentagon also released transcripts of the hearings of Abu Faraj al-Libi and Ramzi Binalshibh, although Binalshibh refused to attend his hearing.

Binalshibh, a Yemeni, is suspected of helping Mohammed with the Sept. 11, 2001, attack plan and has also been linked by authorities to a foiled plot to crash aircraft into London's Heathrow Airport.

Al-Libi is a Libyan who is suspected of masterminding two bombings, 11 days apart in Pakistan in December 2003, each targeting President Pervez Musharraf for his support of the U.S.-led war on terror.

The hearings, which began last Friday, are being conducted in secret by the military as it tries to determine whether 14 alleged terrorist leaders should be declared “enemy combatants” who can be held indefinitely and prosecuted by military tribunals.

Hearings for six of the 14 have already been held. The military is not allowing reporters to attend the sessions and is limiting the information it provides about them, arguing that it wants to prevent sensitive information from being disclosed.

The 14 were moved in September from a secret CIA prison network to the prison at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, where about 385 men are being held on suspicion of links to al Qaeda or the Taliban.

Mohammed's confession was read by a member of the U.S. military who is serving as his personal representative. It also claims he shared responsibility for three other attacks, including assassination attempts against Pope John Paul II and Musharraf.

The transcripts also lay out evidence against Mohammed, saying that a computer seized during his capture included detailed information about the Sept. 11 plot — ranging from names and photos of the hijackers to photos of hijacker Mohammad Atta's pilot's license and even letters from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Al-Libi also made a statement through his personal representative largely claiming that the hearing process is unfair and that he will not attend unless it is corrected.

"The detainee is in a lose-lose situation," his statement said.

Binalshibh declined to participate in the process and the hearing was conducted in his absence. Military officials expected some of the 14 suspects not to participate.

Legal experts have criticized the U.S. decision to bar independent observers from the hearings of the detainees who the government describes as "high-value targets." The Associated Press filed a letter of protest, arguing that it would be "an unconstitutional mistake to close the proceedings in their entirety."

Mark Denbeaux, a Seton Hall University law professor who represents two Tunisians held at Guantanamo, said that based on the transcripts, Mohammed might be the only detainee who would qualify as an enemy combatant.

"The government has finally brought someone into Gitmo who apparently admits to being someone who could be called an enemy combatant," Denbeaux, a critic of most of the detentions, said in a telephone interview from London. "None of the others rise to this level. The government has now got one."

The military held 558 combatant status review tribunals between July 2004 and March 2005 and the panels concluded that all but 38 detainees were enemy combatants who should be held. Those 38 were eventually released from Guantanamo.

[beehive21-2009]

We knew it, looks like the Fatman in Iran.The prison down therein cuba payin off.

[patriotic9]

It is impossible that this high ranking Alqaeda terrorist didn't know about OSAMA BEEN-FORGOTTEN when he was caught.
How come we couldn't force him to tell us where Bin Laden was.Either our interrogation techniques are not advance enough or these people are so comited to their cause that torture doesn't work on them.
It seems like 72 virgins are not the only motivation for them to give their lives.Their love and dedication to their religion is the cause of all the evils.The way these terrorsit have been brain washed is unbelievable.

[downtowner97]

It looks like the picture of KSM was taken at Walter Reid Hospital.

[tuckerndfw]

Too bad his "confession" wasn't made freely, voluntarily and openly.

In other words, it isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Much like everything else that originates with the Bush administration.

[hrdstonewall]

Too bad his "confession" wasn't made freely, voluntarily and openly.

In other words, it isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Much like everything else that originates with the Bush administration.
Posted by tuckerndfw at 07:11 PM : Mar 14, 2007

Aww you're breaking my heart! I got it! Let's treat all these detainees with tender love and compassion JUST like they did with all of their WOMEN and KIDNAPING VICTIMS... NOT! You bleeding hearts make me puke! Regardless of which administration deals with this scum, they should never have the right they have so long denied to others. I am sure that if you where one of his victims you would change your opinion in a heartbeat.

[agnim]

Some confession.

After being tortured and 'water boarded' at the Guantanamo terror camp, what wouldn't anyone confess? LOL

[tuckerndfw]

Let's treat all these detainees with tender love and compassion JUST like they did with all of their WOMEN and KIDNAPING VICTIMS.


Posted by hrdstonewall at 07:23 PM : Mar 14, 2007

In other words, in your ideal world, there would be no need for lawyers, judges, courts, or, for that matter, even laws.

If the accused is guilty based on nothing more than an accusation, why bother with trials? Just shoot them and be done with it.

You were suffering from mental illness long before you encountered "liberals."

But, your hysterical shrieking does not alter the fact that any "confessions" arising from people being "interrogated" by others who are known for using torture and other coercive techniques are meaningless.

[burneb]

Apparently he's been held incommunicado at secret CIA prison(s)and at Guantanamo for four years. Hasn't he confessed to the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, Judge Crater's disappearance, or Kennedy's assassination yet?

[libsarenuts]

Here they are...the whiny libs crying for the enemy again. Let's serve tea and cookies and then ask them nicely.
If you put your pacifist pinkies in front of any mohammad he would bite them off.
Of course, a lot of us wouldn't mind.

I think KSM looks a little like one of your hero's Michael "I look like a pig" Moore.

[libsarenuts]

Don't you know, because of your humantarian interest in the enemy we are no longer allowed to torture. I say put them in a room with some Dixie Chimps music, that would make anyone confess.

[libsarenuts]

I propose we fill up some huge missles with aclu lawyers and bomb the hell out of the taliban. What do ya think?

I bet if we tortured GW Bush and ******** Cheney that they would also admit to planning 9/11.

libsarenuts wrote:

"Don't you know, because of your humantarian interest in the enemy we are no longer allowed to torture. I say put them in a room with some Dixie Chimps music, that would make anyone confess."

Or we could just put them in a room with Republicans.

The incessant whining would drive them crazy.

[randalds]

After years of being tortured in CIA "black" prisons I would confess to just about anything. Well, anything except for pledging support to the as*sholes Bush and Cheney. NO amount of torture would get me to do that.

libsarenuts wrote:

"I propose we fill up some huge missles with aclu lawyers and bomb the hell out of the taliban. What do ya think?"

I think you're a troll. :-)

[emhawks]

To RandalDS: Another true post; I agree 100%.
Doesn't Khalid Shaikh Mohammed's "confession" tie up all the questions about the tragedy of 9/11 in a nice, neat package?! I don't buy it for one second. As someone posted earlier, it's not worth the paper it's written on. I believe the majority of Americans will not find this acceptable as an explanation for what happened on 9/11.
REOPEN THE 9/11 INVESTIGATION!
The more I read & research the more I am coming to believe that 9/11 was an inside job.
Read about the Project for the New American Century (PNAC).
Read "Crossing the Rubicon" by Michael Ruppert.
Do the research & form your own opinion.
"The only conspiracy theory is the official story we've been told."
- Unknown

[scott4261]

I am suspicious of the methods used in Guantanamo Bay. Nevertheless (and I will probably surprise those to my right and anger some on my left by saying this), my gut feeling tells me that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is guilty of these charges.

HOWEVER, does that mean that I think even he doesn't deserve the right of habeas corpus? No. In fact, this whole mess could be handled much more humanely. So before you start neo-cons start yelling "rah, rah, USA!" just remember that our standards used to be much higher before President Bush took office. And, it is likely that a number of these detainees are not guilty of terrorism against the U.S.

So even though Mohammed may indeed be guilty, that doesn't make torture right. Nor does it make our government honest. Don't believe everything that is spoon-fed to you.

[hawksprings]

As a conservative, I don't what to think about this 'confession' either.

If they used psychological torture on him including sensory deprivation for an extended period of time, like I've read they have been doing, then they basically destroyed his psyche and anything he said would be suspect.

It doesn't look good...

[jebby_one]

ha haaaa ..

CBS legal stooge calls it a "so called" confession.

I think CBS will go down fighting.
Wait? Aren't they already going down on Democrat neo-commies? Ok, you know what I mean.

[libsarenuts]

mcdazz..you couldn't carry *** Cheney's stinky underware, but I bet you would like to.

[scott4261]

This my be falling on deaf ears with you, libsarenuts, but please read the rules of engagement for this site before you post again. If you can't be civil in your disagreements, you shouldn't be here. Now I will admit that I have flown off the handle a couple of times, but I have expressed contrition. Point is, let's treat each other with the dignity and respect that we each deserve as human beings.

[libsarenuts]

Kiss my *** scott, I'm not going to let you limp-wristed lefties barf out all that hate without calling you on it.

[radiob-2009]

From Wikipedia

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (Arabic: %u062E%u0627%u0644%u062F %u0634%u064A%u062E %u0645%u062D%u0645%u062F; also transliterated as Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, et al., and also known by as many as twenty-seven aliases[1] (b. March 1, 1964, or April 14, 1965) is a prisoner in U.S. custody for alleged acts of terrorism, including mass murder. Formerly a Kuwaiti member of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda organization, according to the 9/11 Commission Report he was "the principal architect of the 9/11 attacks."

From the BBC
However he has been indicted, since 1996, with plotting to blow up 11 or 12 American airliners flying from south-east Asia to the United States in January, 1995.

The self-proclaimed head of al-Qaeda's military committee has also been linked to

the kidnap and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan in 2002

the 2002 suicide bomb attack on a Tunisian synagogue in which 21 people died

a plot to assassinate the Pope during the Pontiff's 1995 visit to the Philippines

[libsarenuts]

Scott, you have your head up your Pelosi. We have been way too nice to the entire radical muslim entity. Nobody spoon feeds anyone on this side of the aisle. We are realists. The truth is if we don't stop them soon, we will be just like Europe. They are already lost.
I would beg that you few appeasers please go try to get along with any of them.

[libsarenuts]

Hey radiob. The left would say, "oh, maybe we can rehabilitate him."
This guy has a longer rap sheet that an NBA player.
These people hate us because we have I Love Lucy on television for Christ's sake. Starbucks, how about Toys are Us.
They have squat and deserve less.

[scott4261]

Kiss my *** scott, I'm not going to let you limp-wristed lefties barf out all that hate without calling you on it.
Posted by libsarenuts at 09:30 PM

----

Nice. Real nice. And when have you EVER seen me "barf out hate?" Ever. I choose to say what I have to say without insulting the other posters. I might call you a wingnut or a nutball, and if you are really nasty I might call you an a s s h o l e, but that's as far as it goes. Now please take a lesson in civility.

Oh, forget it. Look who I'm talking to.

[stezzer]

What are the conspiracy theorists going do now? Tell the world he was brainwashed?

[scott4261]

Scott, you have your head up your Pelosi. We have been way too nice to the entire radical muslim entity. Nobody spoon feeds anyone on this side of the aisle. We are realists.....
Posted by libsarenuts at 09:35 PM
----

Oh, really now? Then can you please tell me why you continue to bear the water for the most corrupt administration in history?

I am entitled to my opinion as are you, but I try not to belittle those with whom I disagree.

[stezzer]

What are the conspiracy theorists going to do now? Tell the world he was brainwashed?

Sorry, typo on my earlier post.

[radiob-2009]

Scott read the 9/11 commision report that specifically deals with KSM. Here is the link.
http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report_Ch5.htm

[libsarenuts]

Scott, put your hair back in a pony tail and listen. You have no idea what goes on at Gitmo or any other confrontational setting our soldiers are in. I don't either, however, I believe that we are doing our best at sorting out the thugs. Your boys and gals in congress couldn't even tie their own shoes. They are so giddy about getting a thin majority that they are bumping into each other while they look in the bathroom mirror. They couldn't lead the cast on Lost, much less this wonderful country.
Personanally I don't give a *** about the rights of those at Gitmo. But I do care about this great ole USA and whatever it takes to keep us safe is alright with me. I really want my grandchildren to live in a safe environment. While you turn-tail, cut and run liberals don't care if there is another attack.
I see that you know the rules of engagement scott, that's how you knew to put a space between the letter'd of your mom's name.

[radiob-2009]

libsarenuts The radical element of Islam has to be dealt with.The most difficult task is in the prevention of ordinary Muslims becoming terrorist. Any thoughts as to how to prevent the non radical from becoming a radical?

[stezzer]

libsarenuts, Well said.

I'm a Brit, and I agree with every word you say sir.

[radiob-2009]

Is anybody capable of discussing this without attacking political parties.

[emhawks]

"I was responsible for the 9/11 operation from A to Z."
- Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
This is a set-up, folks. This is a "staged" confession.
When you read/research 9/11, ask yourself,"Who benefited( especially from a financial standpoint) from 9/11?"
"The only conspiracy theory is the official story we've been told."
- Unknown

[stezzer]

Yes. libsarenuts just has.

[scott4261]

radiob,

Holy moly, that's a lot of info to absorb. As I said in my original post on this blog, my gut feeling tells me that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is guilty of these charges. We certainly have a mountain of evidence. However, I still stand behind the rest of my post on principle.

[libsarenuts]

Jesus Christ Scott...If this administration was so corrupt it would have been brought down by now. The left stream media jumps on every little glitch like it's "Gonna be the one" but it never is. All their effert accomplishes is to give the enemy more hope that the American people will believe the media lies and give up on Iraq and the middle east.
Iran and Syria are next. You are going to Love that, huh?

[stezzer]

libsarenuts

Feel free to tell a Brit to keep his nose out of American politics.

However, I must say Sir, you are an expert. You know what you are talking about, and I certainly respect your opinion.

[libsarenuts]

Thanks Stezzer.
emhawks is off the deep end. Smoking a little too much crack, I think.
What he is referring to is the obsurd theory that the Bush admin. took down the twin towers and not islamic terrorists.

[scott4261]

libsarenuts,

First, I don't have long hair.

Second, you may know I'm a liberal, but I am certainly not carrying the water for the Democrats. They are pissing me off too, but for different reasons.

Third, I love my country too, and I get angry when people like you question my patriotism. And I don't see anything that this administration has done to truly make us safe.

And finally, I am an independent voter, but I'll be damned if I will ever vote for the Republicans as long as they are the robber barons they are today.

Have a good evening.

[radiob-2009]

Scott4261 It is alot to absorb, but it is better to research and know the facts.

[libsarenuts]

radiob, that is a difficult question and a more difficult process. The problem is that non-radical muslims will not out the bad one.
It's like the old Italian family, one of the sons kills somebody and grandma hides him in her basement. They need to come forward and actually say somthing that will get our attention. If not eventually will just have to put them all together as one. We won't have the resources to sort them out anymore.

[scott4261]

Jesus Christ Scott...If this administration was so corrupt it would have been brought down by now. The left stream media jumps on every little glitch like it's "Gonna be the one" but it never is. All their effert accomplishes is to give the enemy more hope that the American people will believe the media lies and give up on Iraq and the middle east.
Iran and Syria are next. You are going to Love that, huh?
Posted by libsarenuts at 09:59 PM
-----

The only reason this administration hasn't been brought down is because the DEMOCRATS become weak-kneed amoebas on this subject. And that is my beef with them.

[radiob-2009]

Scott4261 What about Hagel?


libsarenuts What about addressing the crux of the radical Isamic movement. Strip them of that and what do they have to stand on.

[stezzer]

libsarenuts

I'm glad that people like you Sir have the guts to stand up and tell the truth. Thank you.

The Islamic terrorists responsible for 9/11 must thrilled that some idiots believe in a conspiracy theory.

[libsarenuts]

stezzer...I'm not sure if you are trying to set me up. If you are a Brit and living in your mother country, I feel that I should feel sorry for your future. Your country may already be too far left to recover. I hope it proves not to be. Good luck.
I am not trying to patronize you.

[CBSTV]

Perhaps this "detainee" is guilty of the charges, perhaps not. It's hard to say because the entire process lacks openness and credibility. Beyond the press being barred from the proceedings, even the defendant's attorneys were not allowed inside the government's briefing room.

If an American citizen were prosecuted in this manner by another country, would we find it acceptable?

[scott4261]

Scott4261 What about Hagel?

Posted by radiob at 10:12 PM
-------
I admire Chuck Hagel and I agree with him on the war in Iraq. And if he were the Republican nominee running against Hillary Clinton I would probably vote for him.

Otherwise, I agree with him on little else. one thing I can say for Hagel is that he is a TRUE conservative. The robber barons in charge of the Republican Party now are not.

[radiob-2009]

studio41 read the 9/11 commision report that specifically deals with KSM. Here is the link.
http://www.9-11commission.gov/rep
ort/911Report_Ch5.htm