“The Saudi Royal Family Is under a Suspicion of Relating to the 9.11 Terror”

The News Week reported that this was in the first draft of the report of the US House and Senate Joint Committee, which investigated the post management of the 9.11 Terror by the Government. The News Week added that the Joint Committee pointed out the fact that the FBI and the CIA did not investigate the possibility of connection between the terrorists and Saudi Arabia.

According to the Report, the money in Princess Al Faisal`s account had been transferred to a student studying abroad in America from Saudi Arabia Omar Al Baiomi`s account since 4 years ago, and out of that, 3,500 dollars a month had been transferred to the 9.11 terrorists Kalid Almidha and Nawaf Alhazmi from the early 2000 to July 2001.

And some of the money were transferred to the terrorists organization Al Qaida thorough another student studying abroad Osama Basnan.

In relation to this the New York Times also reported on the 23rd that Al Baiomi, who left America last year after living in San Diego, held a welcoming party for those 2 terrorists, and neighbors suspected that she was related to the terrorists organization.

This newspaper reported that, however, the diplomatic advisor of the Saudi Crown Princess Abdul Al Jubeir refused the suspicion of the connection between the Royal Family and the terrorists.

He said that Princess Al Faisal, who was very much interested in charities, did not refuse to help if she received a letter asking help from anyone, so the support to Al Baiomi and Basnan was done in same manner. In case of Al Baiomi, he was not in the Pricess`s support list, but the money was transferred to Magan Ibrahim Ahmed, who was assumed to be his wife, and in case of Basnan, his wife sent a letter asking for medical expenses.

In the meantime, the director of the White House publicity bureau insisted, “The criticism of the Congress that the Government overlooked the possibility of connection between the 9.11 terrorists and Saudi Arabia is an opinion that ignores the complexity of the situation, and announced that the Justice Department was investigating the suspicion of connection.

The fact that the first draft of the report of the Joint Committee contains the suspicion of the Saudi Royal Family`s supporting the terrorists reflects the anti-Saudi emotion in America after knowing that 15 out of 19 9.11 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Foreign Minister Al Faisal also said early this month that Saudi Arabia would not provide bases and the territorial air if America attacked Iraq, so he suggested that the conflict between the two countries was not relieved.

Ki-Tae Kwon kkt@donga.com