CIA's Abdulmutallab Info Not High Priority

(CBS)  This story was written by CBS News investigative reporter Pat Milton.

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Sources tell CBS News that it appears the CIA information on "the Nigerian" was limited including his actual identity because it was coming from sub-sourcing. That means the information was one or two steps removed from the origin source who had contact with Abdulmutallab or who eyeballed him associating with individuals with suspected or known links to al Qaeda.

The sub-source apparently told the CIA that the person of interest dubbed "the Nigerian" held extremist views, had the ability to travel outside the region, and was being embraced and groomed by those who ascribe to al Qaeda.

Information provided by sub-sources often present challenges to the intelligence community because of their vagueness and the lack of ability to follow up on the information.

Special Report: The Christmas Day Terror Attack

Law enforcement and the intelligence community is focused today on identifying any possible accomplices. The top priority is trying to identify if there are other operatives preparing to launch similar attacks either on a plane to the United States, Europe or elsewhere.

Officials are not sure whether Abdulmutallab was a test run. But the incident drew attention to U.S.' capability and vulnerabilities.

Investigators and intelligence agents are seeking to identify who may have been in the training program in Yemen with the suspect. They even want to know who was sitting next to him in class.

Officials are seeking answers to a litany of questions: Who was associated with Abdulmutallab, who assisted him, who gave him the chemicals, who sewed the explosives in his underwear, who further radicalized him, and who sent him on his way.

Sources say they believe he was in Yemen between August and December studying Arabic, praying, and learning how to be a terrorist.

Sources also tell CBS News that the Brits had Abdulmutallab on their radar prior to the attempted attack in Detroit as someone with terrorist links and that may have been a reason he was denied access to the country.

However, a U.K. counter-terror source tells CBS News that he was denied access because he provided the name of a bogus university he was going to be attending.

Sources say Abdulmutallab apparently came to the Brits attention after he was identified as a possible trace player, someone on the periphery of other previous terror investigations within Britain.

More coverage from CBSNews.com:

Official: We Knew Al Qaeda Planned "Christmas Surprise"
U.S. Intel Lapses Helped Abdulmutallab
Friend Says Abdulmutallab Was Not Extremist in London
Yemen, North Africa: Terrorism's New Home
Yemen Raids Al Qaeda Hide-Out; 1 Arrested
Opposition Grows to Transferring Gitmo Detainees to Yemen
Dick Cheney: Obama Stance "Makes Us Less Safe"
Democrats Say GOP Playing Politics on Bombing Attempt
Obama: "Systemic Failure" Allowed Attack
Roommate: Abdulmutallab Shunned Women
Abdulmutallab's Missing Months in Yemen
TSA Still Vexed by Explosives Screening
Tracing Bomb Suspect's Journey to Detroit

[markj2]

Well lets see why would the CIA not think it was important enough to do anything about the info it did have. Could it be that the CIA was getting back at Obama for allowing Eric Holder to investigate some members of the CIA that were only following the orders of Congress and gave them the ok to "WaterBoard" harden terrorists who didn't respond to normal methods. The same Eric Holder who along with Obama said its ok to bring the 9-11 terrorists to a civilian trial and give them all the rights of a US citizen. Now the PC culture has invaded the military and some ARMY ******* General wanted to blemmish the records of 3 Navy Seals because a captured terrorists said they gave him a fat lip. I guess its now better to take the word of a terrorists over our Honorable and Brave Navy seals. Unbelieveable, I'm glad I retired 20 years ago from the Navy before it got PC stuck up its backside.God Bless the 3 Navy Seals and May God rescue us from the IDIOTS who reside in Washington and the White House.

[sjc_1]

It is not like you are targeting drones to fire a missile, just suspend his visa to enter the U.S. The fact the you do not have any direct first hand statements from people in Yemen should not stop that. So you might hold up travel for one person for a few hours, the worst case is a plane with 100s of people is blown out of the sky.

[Lewisxxxusa]

Lunch---a relative worked for the gov and try to find a restaurant near New York where he has not eaten.

[thesevenveils]

But this information was coming from the young man's father. How is that not a RED FLAG?

[acupuncturegirl]

This event didn't affect BO's pols because no one believes it is anything else but a botched CIA hoax, designed to get people back on the front porch with the sh-tgun.

An obviously mentally challenged, young pawn. Several important looking suspects helping him on a plane without proper ID. A drumbeat for a war in Yemen and North Africa already started (betray-us has been there over a year now making his deals). Someone taking a video of the entire flight before anything happened, and the video disappears. Come on. How many times do we have to go throught this?

The thugs are just giving BO a run for it. Sad thing is, the free liberals don't really come to his defense anymore because he is playing the same CIA game. However, I predict this story will soon disappear. Its not working out the way it was intended...

[Empire-George-]

It's not pretty, but if anyone wants to see what the explosive boxers looked like

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/northwest-airlines-bomb-photos/story?id=9436297&page=1

[Empire-George-]

by salmoc44 December 30, 2009 9:27 PM EST
Since Cons want to fight a war against a tactic (terrorism)
_____________________

Cons ? Do you mean that no liberals or moderates are interested in defending this country against Terrorists ?

We are defending our country against groups and individuals, Terrorists, not a tactic.....Use your brain and think about it....a tactic alone can't do anything

[joetheplumer]

{This is no time to be PC, put them under the spotlight before we have another 9/11}by bradkt1.
What make you different from Hitler?it is the same ideology, the same attitude.
This new story is not only a wakeup call for the US but also for every father who is working hard to raise his kids and send them to get the best education of the world...There are predators our there ready to send them kill innocents.
No one is mentioning the heroic act of this father who didn't hesitate to denounce his son when he though his actions was suspicious. As a Muslim I urge every Muslim to do the same...
If the scanners work why not use them. There is not privacy in time of danger.They will help protect the life of innocent but also prevent hardship and humiliation to those innocent people who are treated like theorist while their only problem is believing in a religion.

peace

[justdatrooth]

Leon Panetta is as inexperienced as Obama. Of course the CIA is incompetent without any leadership from its titular "director". Both should resign.

[erb0087]

"Eight GOP Senators Opposed Bill That Funded Airport Screening And Explosive Detection

Some of the same Republican lawmakers currently criticizing the President for softness on terrorism voted back in July 2007 against legislation that, among other reforms, provided $250 million for airport screening and explosive detection equipment.

The Improving America's Security Act of 2007 was a relatively non-controversial measure that effectively implemented several un-acted-upon recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Eighty-five Senators voted in favor of the bill's passage. Seven missed the vote (several of whom were on the campaign trail, including Barack Obama, John McCain and Chris Dodd).

Eight Republican Senators, however, voted against passage, including Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okl.) Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), James Inhofe (R-Okl.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ari.)."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/30/eight-gop-senators-oppose_n_407712.html