9/11 Mastermind: I Killed Daniel Pearl

Al Qaeda No. 3 Says He Beheaded Wall Street Journal Reporter

(CBS/AP)  Suspected Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed confessed to the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl and a central role in 30 other attacks and plots in the U.S. and worldwide that killed thousands of victims, said a revised transcript released Thursday by the U.S. military.

"I decapitated with my blessed right hand the head of the American Jew, Daniel Pearl, in the city of Karachi, Pakistan," Mohammed is quoted as saying in a transcript of a military hearing at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, released by the Defense Department.

"For those who would like to confirm, there are pictures of me on the Internet holding his head," he added.

Mohammed's claimed involvement in the 2002 slaying of the Wall Street Journal reporter was among 31 attacks and plots — some of which never came to fruition — he took responsibility for in a hearing Saturday at the U.S. naval prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Pentagon said.

It released the bulk of the transcript late Wednesday, but held back the section about Pearl's killing to allow time for his family to be notified, said Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman.

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U.S. military transcripts of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's confessions.

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The Associated Press reported Wednesday that it had learned that the transcripts released Wednesday evening had blacked out the reference to Mohammed's confession about the Pearl slaying. Pearl was abducted in January 2002 in Pakistan while researching a story on Islamic militancy. Mohammed has long been a suspect in the slaying, which was captured on video.

Sealing a legacy of historical notoriety, Mohammed portrayed himself as al Qaeda's most ambitious operational planner in a confession to a U.S. military tribunal.

The Guantanamo Bay hearing, known as a Combatant Status Review Tribunal, is a formality allowing the military to certify a detainee as an "enemy combatant" who warrants further detention and can be prosecuted by a military tribunal. In Mohammed's case, the prisoner made matters quite simple. "For sure, I'm American enemies," he said. "I don't have anything to say that I'm not enemy," reports CBS Evening News producer Phil Hirshkorn.

Mohammed’s language offers what CBS news consultant Paul Kurtz says is a fascinating insight into the mastermind behind Sept. 11.

"He is a warrior, and he's taking on his enemy the way he sees fit," Kurtz tells CBS News national security correspondent David Martin. "He's sorry about losing 3,000 people over the World Trade Center attacks. Nonetheless, this is the language of war. He says that several times in the transcript."

Many plots, including a previously undisclosed plan to kill several former U.S. presidents, were never carried out or were foiled by international counterterrorism authorities.

"I was responsible for the 9/11 operation from A to Z," Mohammed said in a statement read Saturday during a Combatant Status Review Tribunal at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Mohammed's confession was read by a member of the U.S. military who is serving as his personal representative.

[tuckerndfw]

Has he admitted to shooting Santa Claus?

His "confession" isn't worth paper it's printed on. "Confessions" obtained through coercion or torture are indadmissible in legitimate courts.

But, that's no problem for George Bush's kangaroo courts. Bush & supporters have already demonstated their disdain for the US Constitution and rule of law. Same as all dictators everywhere, past, present & future.

And who cares who killed Israel's spy in Pakistan? He played the game and lost. Too bad for him, that's what happens to spies.

[truthfulone-2009]

If I were in Guantanamo, I'd confess to JFK's assassination!

[connapa]

Screw the tribunal. Charge him in NY with 3000 counts of murder and put the needle in his arm.

[karlimhof]

Screw the tribunal. Charge him in NY with 3000 counts of murder and put the needle in his arm.
Posted by connapa


but first have him tell us how they got around our air-defenses - on the very day they were out over Alaska on manouvers!

[one_american]

Liberals:

Stop defending the indefensible, you low-life terrorist apologist traitors.

If you don't have the guts to defend this country, then I personally invite you to GET THE HELL OUT!

[setumstrt9]

I think all of you who doubt this guy is crazy should be locked in a room with him for a few days. Then you could experience first hand what he would like to do to us all. If it was up to the democrats he would still be running loose helping plan the next terrorist attack. Thank the Lord we caught him.

[tuckerndfw]

Screw the tribunal. Charge him in NY with 3000 counts of murder and put the needle in his arm.

Posted by connapa at 10:50 AM : Mar 15, 2007

Legitimate courts use something called the "rule of law" and it requires prosecutors to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

Based on credible evidence.

Since there is no credible evidence, the case cannot be prosecuted anywhere other than a kangaroo court more suited for Zimbabwe than the US.

"Confessions" obtained through coercion or torture cannot be used in legitimate courts. They can only be used in courts in third world dictatorships, Israel and now, "courts" invented by the Bush administration.

The US is rapidly devolving into a third world dictatorship.

[agnim]

"9/11 Mastermind: I Killed Daniel Pearl"

What about "I killed Lincoln and JFK?" LOL

Seriously, is there any killing that this guy is not responsible for? LOL

[chefrc]

Bush , Just like Johnson did Oswald has to find a scape goat to cover his involvement in crimes against the U.S. If you really want to find out what happened during 911 go to Freedomunderground.com or watch the secret DVD Loose Change (911'S TRUE STORY ).But you have to have some comman sense to understand. Kind of like " Where are the wings and tail section of the flight that hit the Pentagon") Never seen a plane crash and not leave any signs that it was there. So take your liberial slope-headed a$$ the the above website. And see what you think.

[notblue]

Listening to most of the comments related to this story shows the extent people will go in there hatred of the present administration and America. This guy is evil incarnate and most here are either in denial or refuse to see the truth do there own twisted leftwing ideology.

[brokercooper]

tuckerndfw.... you are a jackass... Oh no, dont toture these guys, this is terrible.. you moron.. if they caught you , they would ask one question.. "are you American?" which you might as well reply no to, then they would cut your head off... time to see the light man.. you are pathedic.

[bm6005]

shows the extent people will go in their hatred of the present administration and America.
Posted by notblue

A) I love my Country - America.

B) I hate our dipshit president.

[inventagod]

After FIVE solid years of CIA/military torture anyone would admit anything.
Sorry, Bu$h, not only is this story unbelieveable, in most nations it would be inadmissable in court.
Nice try.

[bm6005]

shows the extent people will go in their hatred of the present administration and America.
Posted by notblue

A) I love my Country - America.

B) I hate our dipshit president - Bush II.

[bm6005]

shows the extent people will go in their hatred of the present administration and America.
Posted by notblue

A) I love my Country - America.

B) I hate our dipshit president - Bush II.

C) Got your tickets to this years VFW bash the un-american, left wing, neo-commie meet yet?

D) Oh that's right you didn't serve, did you? Ask your bro to get the tickets for you!

[bm6005]

BTW if they need anyone to pull the trigger on this guy I volunteer. No question this one's guilty! With others tho I'd prefer some real evidence not the Bush/Cheney/Wolfowitz "got to war" intel style!!

[venkata4--2008]

Well this person is admitting everything to glorify him self.

Definitely he is not the one who is responsible for Mr. Pearl's killing. 3 persons are in Pakistani jail for that crime. One British born Pakistani who admitted this and that person was released from Indian jail to get the release of hi jacked Indian Air lines plane to Afghanistan by terrorists right under the Pakistani president.
And after getting out from Indian jail the first crime he committed was Mr. Pearl's . Not Khalid Sheik Ahmad. CIA was not even given to chance to interrogate that British born Pakistani and Pakistan's president refused to extradite him to US for Mr. Pearl's death. Do not get carried over by this insane fanatic. Pakistan wants only some terrorists to be arrested at it's will not all.

[rhs648]

tuckerndfw - More anti-semitic smut. Do you get this stuff from a nazi bulletin board? You would not recognise the truth if it slapped you in the face. Get real! This guy spent his whole career planning terrorist attacks. The average criminal probably commits dozens if not hundreds of crimes before getting caught.

[lars008-2009]

file lawsuit to all fascist nazi islamic apartheid governments.........
Foreign nations ordinarily are immune from lawsuits in U.S. courts, but Congress amended the law in 1996 to allow victims to seek monetary damages against countries classified as state sponsors of terrorism.

[chefrc]

VBNVBN

Why don't you explain 911 to us then.

Chuckle head a$$ clown

[notblue]

bm6005, what is your problem, you hate your president, I accept Mr. Bush as my president just as I had Mr. Clinton before him. What I hate are dipshits like you, you are a hypocrite who thinks your constant carping complaining and ignorant rants and bloviations are in some way helping in this conflict. All your same old tired carping does is prove your ignorance and does nothing but give the enemy the will they need to justify there barbaric goals. Come on over to the local VFW in my town and sound off there like you do at these comment areas. Please let me know so I can be there ot witness the response from my veteran friends. Now that would be enjoyable

[one_american]

mocaleo:

You don't outnumber anything, you worthless punk traitor.

Keep up your stupidity, and a civil war against you and your stupid terrorist-supporting movement is coming, and you and your ilk are going to be extinct soon.

[inventagod]

Our CIA should be so proud.
Proof that torture is a great idea!
Anyone want to bet on the outcome?
The US has fared poorly in 9/11 matters.
Could it be it's all based on a lie?

[shamrocker6]

Everyone has their own point-of-view, and believe me, I'm still not sure how I can feel 100% comfortable with how our government entitles itself to bypass legal process no matter who it involves. We are a nation established on moral principals and convictions that shouldn't be compromised PERIOD! There isn't a better, more thorough legal process out there except maybe in Heaven! Come on! We are lying down with the dogs now, and if fleas aren't bad enough, we seem to be getting rabid, as well. Once you get rabies...its over.

[observantx]

Notice the timing.

When the administration gets its @ss in a jam, they trot out the big bad boogyman.

This guy has been under sensory deprivation, diet manipulation, & you name it for so long, he'll confess to being from the moon.

He's definitely a bad actor & is up to his eyeballs in Osama's pipe dreams, but really, how reliable is anything he says anymore? If I had to go through what he's been through, I'd be confessing to being Pearl's killer in a heartbeat.

The issue is that good intelligence has been scrambled and muddied with ham handed medieval tactics. Now we really don't know who really did what with any certainty.

[BlueInWI]

Yep. And the US sexually abused and tortured many prisoners, many of them innocent, at Abu Ghraib as well.

You can bet those pictures are inflaming Muslim passions whenever their governments or leaders do something terrible as well...

Convenient timing for diversionary purposes is all this is.

[nothappyatall]

I'll bet this guy didn't have a hand in half the garbage he claims, he knows his behind is grass so he wants to go out as a martyr hero, he's no "mastermind" he looks like an idiot, at best the fall guy or wannabe.

[nothappyatall]

"even on a site as liberal as CBSnews.com -vbnvbn"

Liberal?? CBS news constantly links to the christian science monitor and has some kind of deal with them, in bed with the christians basically to promote their side of everything. Note how stories always include the mini sermonettes about how "the lord..." "god said.."

puke!

[rohink-2009]

I'll bet this guy didn't have a hand in half the garbage he claims, he knows his behind is grass so he wants to go out as a martyr hero, he's no "mastermind" he looks like an idiot, at best the fall guy or wannabe.
Posted by newster1

I'd be willing to bet you're right on the money.............

[radiob-2009]

The 9/11 report on KSM
http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report_Ch5.htm

[bigsk8fan]

I think most folks would like to believe that the USA war on terror would eventually get someone actually involved in 9/11 or any major terrorist activity against us. Hopefully, this is at least one of those guys. The problem is that anyone would confess to anything under the torture that the USA inflicts on its held suspected terrorists. To keep from drowning, I would confess to assassinating Lincoln.

[energyecon]

No doubt he is a genuine 'bad guy,' but his credibility is shot given the "special high intensity techniques" applied to him - he will be copping to taking out Jimmy Hoffa next - not to mention the timing in the midst of the death spiral of Alberto Gonzalez as the AG.

[bigsk8fan]

If you were willing to open your eyes, you could find that out even on a site as liberal as CBSnews.com . . .". Posted by vbnvbn

What a load of Bush-***! With the most conservative news anchor of any major news organization, except for FOX, no one can honestly believe CBS to be liberal anymore. Dan Rather is gone. And so is honest news reporting. The problem is that whenever a conservative hears anything constructive about the current White House, they immediately label it "liberal". Well wake up Conservatives, the whole world hates USA and therefore the whole world must be liberal! Correct?

[jn122736]

Repost:
This is the problem with the use of torture; even if the confessions are true no honest person can really believe it.

The past and obviously continuing lies and deceit of this administration just adds to the mistrust exhibited here.

Previously, it would have been ridiculous to believe any administration would ever deceive the people on the scale this one has.

It also would be ridiculous think the sun will no rise tomorrow, but if it fails to rise a couple of times one would start to doubt it

[bm6005]

John Kerry: which one is the 'pariah' - Khalid or Bush?

Posted by badaxmofo

Neither, it's badbrthmofo!!

[gwagener]

The war on terror is over! We got the guy who was responsible for the whole thing, we just didn't know it! Now all our military can come home! ;o)

[rharrin1]

bm6005, what is your problem, you hate your president, I accept Mr. Bush as my president just as I had Mr. Clinton before him.

Not as to some of your posts you never accepted clinton.

[karlimhof]

What strikes me about this, besides the fact we had this guy for some time now and just now - he cracks?

Anyway, what I wanted to say that most contributors are non-plus-ed, sceptical, unbelieving, wary, bored - I wonder why?

Have we all been so punched around by this government's "war on terror" for the last 6 years that - we really don't care anymore?

[mbcsmith]

The bleeding heart LIBS want to give this animal a lawyer and parole. Torture is too good for him.

[dredre2k]

Yes, and i'm sure he also killed Jon Benet and caused Anna Nicole to OD, shocking truth revealed... next on NANCY GRACE!

[talsian]

During the closed trial in the prison outlawed by the Geneva Convention, the defendant made an unrecorded confession which was obtained WITHOUT duress! Silly me, and here I was, worried that these Guantanamo trials might be a little shady. What was I worried about? Well, Uncle Sam's got the goods. He's a witch. Burn him! Oh yeah, and could you please put a vidio of it on utube?! thnx.

[randalds]

Screw the tribunal. Charge him in NY with 3000 counts of murder and put the needle in his arm.
Posted by connapa at 10:50 AM : Mar 15, 2007

And while we're at it lets charge him with all of the Jack the Ripper murders and the murder of Adam Walsh too. Hell at this point this guy would confess to betting on baseball and making it look like it was Pete Rose. His "confession" is about as credible as that as*shole Bush saying he started the war in Iraq because of WMD's or to "spread freedom".

[talsian]

He has confessed to more terrorist crimes then I even knew about and he's even confessed to some fantasies that sound like crimes. Sounds great, my only concern is that the other terrorists might not have anything left to confess to.

[scott4261]

I am suspicious of the methods used in Guantanamo Bay. Nevertheless, 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 other 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.

Torture someone for 4 years and they will say anything to stop the torture. This is all PNAC bush/cheney propaganda. The heat is on the lying traotor in the whitehouse...hence, this "confession"...

Video Google "terror storm" if you want to know what they are doing to all of us...so you can quit the Dem vs GOP crapola....

[bushfan3]

Dan Rather telling the truth now that is funny thanks for the laugh.

[scott4261]

vbnvbn, and I suppose the only "honest" news is on FOX News? Oh, please! Edward R. Murrow is SPINNING in his grave!

[j-whitman]

Duress for 4 years even without physical torture isn't tolerated.... This guy is bad, but let's face it ----- You would have confessed to being Santa Claus, Jack the Ripper, Seeing Elvis & killing Captain America, with only half the abuse.

badaxmofo...you cant even doublespeak properly

[overseasboy]

Regarding this recent news article on this low life terrorist khalid sheikk ******. although i'm not american per se, i do sympathize with all of you. what these muslims extremists are doing all over is just sick. they're not just killing americans only. they're killing their own kind as well as other races in the mix. this guy is no human being, he's a monster and he should be put down slowly so he could suffer. and because of him and people like him, no wonder americans hate muslims and their islam religion. one other user even suggested putting down all turban wearing muslims in the U.S. I don't blame you for being angry. I happen to be Panamanian by birth and was so shocked to read this story and how there was even a plot on the Panama Canal a few years back. Imagine that. Man, I wish there was somehow peace in the world and that this Iraq situation would be over. Stay strong and stay save. An overseas guy who happens to like America.
RG Panama city, Panama