US set to release 28 pages of report on Saudi ties to 9/11

The US Congress is set to release 28 pages of a congressional report on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks which contain information about alleged Saudi ties, according to a report.

The top secret document, which has been kept secret since 2002, could be released as early as Friday, CNN reported Thursday.

The section is said to contain information about “specific sources of foreign support for some of the September 11 hijackers.”

Sources said there are still some procedural work that needs to be completed before the document is released.

“If the administration provides the redacted 28 pages today or tomorrow as expected, the decision on how to actually release the material would be up to the [Senate] leadership,” Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff said in a statement to CBS News.

President Barack Obama, under pressure from Congress and the public, announced in April that the secret pages would be declassified soon. National Intelligence Director James Clapper had initially aimed for a mid-June release.

Former US senator Bob Graham, who chaired the committee that carried out the investigation, said the secret section would implicate the Saudi government in the attacks.

“It is going to increase the questioning of the Saudis' role supporting the hijackers,” Graham told CNN.

“Would the US government have kept information that was just speculation away from American people for 14 years if somebody didn't think it was going to make a difference?” he asked.

The Joint Inquiry reviewed a half a million documents and interviewed hundreds of witnesses to produce the report. The administration of former President George W. Bush blanked out the last chapter for reasons of national security.

Bush and his vice president, Dick Cheney, reportedly told the commission that they would not be formally interviewed in relation to the 9/11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people and caused about $10 billion worth of property and infrastructure damage.

State Department officials warned congressional lawmakers on Tuesday against legislation that would allow families of the 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi government. Some House members have called for a hearing on the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.

The measure was passed by the Senate in May by unanimous voice vote despite Obama’s veto threat.

Saudi Arabia strongly opposes the legislation. It has threatened to sell off $750 billion in American assets if it becomes law. 

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk