Commission Sensitive/Law Enforcement Sensitive

Memorandum

To: File

From: DNG

Date: 12/12/03

Re: Answers to Plot Fact Questions

This memo summarizes the briefing I received this morning from Team 1A on the
questions I submitted to be asked of the Penttbom team at the 2-day plot chronology
meeting on 12/10-11. Comments in brackets are not from the FBI.

Plot Start Date

What is consensus on the start date of the plot? Is there any evidence that any
funding was provided to any person in furtherance of the plot before January 2000?

FBI Response: There is no evidence there was any plot financing provided
before January 2000. Al-Mihdhar and Al-Hazmi were involved from April 99, when
they submitted requests for U.S. visas, but no evidence they received plot funding before
2000. Atta may well have been to Afghanistan well before late 99, but the record is
unclear on this point. In any event, there is no evidence the Hamburg plotters received
funding before 9/11.

Yazeed Al-Salmi:

Was he ever asked how traveler's checks he bought wound up in Al-Hazmi's

account? If so, what did he say, and where are the documents reflecting the interview?
When was he deported and was it before FBI knew about the traveler's checks? What is
the consensus FBI view on his role? What else do we know about the guy? Is there any
other reason to believe he provided additional funds to Al-Hazmi or Hanjour, both of
whom seemed to be short of funds?

FBI Response: Al-Salmi was never asked about the Traveler's Checks. He was
deported before the FBI learned of them. A request for an interview has been pending
with the SAG for 18 months. [DS thinks FBI is nonchalant on this interview, and it will
likely not happen]. Penttbom team was unaware of Al-Salmi's purported childhood
relationship with Hanjour, [which, according to Raj, he revealed to M. Abdullah, when
both were en route from SD to NY on material witness warrants, according to Abdullah's
subsequent proffer]. Al-Salmi entered US for the first time on 8/7/00, lived in a hotel for
a few days, then lived with| [then lived at the 7200 Saranac apt. He was a student
at Grossmont college. Al-Hazmi withdrew $1,900 in cash on the same day the $ 1,900 in

9/11 Law Enforcement Sensitive

 Commission Sensitive/Law Enforcement Sensitive

traveler's checks was deposited. Not clear why; may have been related to shared
insurance policy [but numbers don't add up].

9/11 Personal Privacy

Al-Shehhi's Employment

According to the FBI spreadsheet, Al-Shehhi received a monthly "salary" in UAE

currency, deposited into his HSBC account in the UAE from at least 7/31/99 through at
least 12/23/00. What was this salary and did any of it go to plot-related expenses?

FBI Response: Payments were UAE military salary. Although discharged some
time before, payments continued until 12/23/00. It is believed approximately $10,000 of
these funds were sent to Al-Shehhi in US by Binalshibh, although there is no clear trace.

Origin of Funds

Has the FBI learned anything new on the origin of the fund used to finance the
plot?

FBI Response: No; questions put in for relevant detainees; apparently not yet
asked. Al-Hawsawi had spreadsheet for Al Qaeda cash box near Karachi. Al Qaeda used
cash boxes to facilitate funding; [not clear on 9/11 role, if any of cash boxes.] KSM
probably had to get funding from Shayk Said; no. 2 financial person, Hamza Al-Qatari
provided funds to Hawsawi.

Total Funds Used

FBI Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division, John S. Pistole said, "the 9/11
hijackers utilized slightly over $300,000 through formal banking channels to facilitate
their time in the U.S. We assess they used another $200-5300,000 in cash to pay for
 Commission Sensitive/Law Enforcement Sensitive

living expenses ...". Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs,
September 25, 2003, FDCH Political Transcripts at page 5.

Does everyone agree with Pistole's statement? To the extent anyone agrees with
Pistole, what are the best theories about the origin of these additional funds?

FBI Response: Pistole got it wrong. The $300K provided Hill funding, with
some left over. They could have lived on what they had, and the funds left over establish
they had all they need.

European Support

What is FBI's view on the role of Motassadeq and other Hamburg people other
than Binalshibh?

FBI Response: No evidence any German contact other than Binalshbih knew of
the plot. FBI has material support investigations open on Motassadeq and Mazzoud,
based on travel to Afghan camps, but no 9/11 link.

Has any one seen any evidence that the Spanish cell, Yarkas/Zouaydi, provided
any funding in support of the plot - or even any funding to any of the hijackers or their
immediate associates? Does the FBI have a translation of the recent Spanish indictment?

9/11 Law Enforcement Sensitive

Other pertinent Information: The hand-off from Abdul Aziz to Al-Hawsawi

took place in the May/June time frame, as reflected by a change in phone numbers used
to contact them. Abdul Aziz remained in UAE. Some evidence of contact between two,
despite their denials.
 WITH DRAWAL NOTICE

RG: 148
Box: 00005 Folder: 0013 Document: 16
Series: Team 4 Files

Copies: 1 Pages: 27

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Subject: various classified documents re: terrorism financi

ng

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