Bush administration officials say it is still too early to reach a conclusion regarding reports that two of the hijackers from the September 11 attacks received money from the Saudi government. Saudi and U.S. officials are investigating whether the wife of the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. provided money to the September 11 hijackers as charity. Saudi officials state that Princess Haifa al-Faisal, the wife of the ambassador in Washington, donated $15,000 to a Saudi family in the U.S. a year before the terrorist attacks. Osama Basnan, who received the money, had connections with two of the hijackers. According to Saudi officials, most of the money that the ambassador's wife provided was intended to assist in the medical treatment of Saudi citizens in the U.S. The New York Times reported today that this money amounted to tens of thousands of dollars, but federal investigators have not found evidence contradicting the statements of Saudi officials. Cash payments are one of the issues being examined by Congress. A report from the special congressional committee regarding the circumstances of the September 11 attacks is set to be published next month.
Bush Administration Officials: It's Too Early to Judge Saudi Government's Support for Terrorists
Bush administration officials are cautious about concluding that the Saudi government supported the September 11 hijackers, as investigations are ongoing. The Saudi ambassador's wife is implicated in providing financial assistance, which Saudi officials claim was for charitable purposes. This matter is significant as it may affect U.S.-Saudi relations and the ongoing congressional investigations into the attacks.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Bush administration officials are currently investigating claims that two September 11 hijackers received financial support from the Saudi government through the ambassador's wife. Saudi officials assert that the funds were intended for charitable purposes, specifically medical assistance.
- Princess Haifa al-Faisal donated $15,000 to a Saudi family in the U.S. a year before the attacks.
- Investigations are ongoing, and no evidence has been found to contradict Saudi officials' statements.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The September 11 attacks were a pivotal moment in U.S. history, leading to extensive investigations into terrorism and foreign relations, particularly with Saudi Arabia, which has long been scrutinized for its connections to extremist groups.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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