[aristeides]

Mr. Kersten also shed light on a crucial planning meeting for Sept. 11 that was held in January 2000 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. American intelligence officials learned of the meeting before it took place, and Malaysian security agents monitored it at their request.

More evidence of people knowing in advance. I wonder what "monitored" means here. If the meeting was bugged (or even just videotaped -- there are lip-readers,) I wonder if the content of the discussions was known.

[aristeides]

Speaking of lip-reading, we know Czech intelligence at least photographed the meeting between Atta and al-Ani in Prague in April 2001. Did they also tape it?

[Freedom of Speech Wins]

You have pegged the question that has been raised here by the article.

Where that information went and what was done with it would be possible next questions.

[Freedom of Speech Wins]

Not sure I would go so far to say that people knew in advance. Information may have been obtained that was (grossly) neglected is as far as I'd personally go there. As you have probably seen, it seems agencies knew, or should have known, that terrorists were attending flight schools in the US.

The prior coverup of the AirEgypt hijacking to appease Egypt, possibly influenced by the Clinton admin., and whatever other MiddleEastern terrorist acts that may have been covered up also should be examined with these issues in mind.

Had the hijacking been called what it was maybe secuirty could have been revved up.

One question I have is how did the hijackers get the boxcutters past the metal detectors in the first place? Were they planted on the planes by MiddleEastern airline personnell?

One thing is clear though, they got the boxcutters past. This question answered could lead to more procedures to make things safer. Unanswered it suggests a problem. Are we safer now than before? if so we should know exactly how they defeated our security, and have steps made to prevent this from recurring.