The Saudi Money Trail

The congressional investigators looking into 9-11 argue that the Feds aren't doing enough to stop another attack. The FBI's failure to thoroughly investigate the Saudi connection reveals the bureau's inherent weakness as a counterterror organization, these investigators tell NEWSWEEK. Senator Graham has been pushing for a new domestic-intelligence service, modeled on Britain's M.I.5, to track terror cells in this country. Graham says he fears that a concealed terrorist "infrastructure" set up to support the 19 hijackers is still in place--waiting for a new call to action.

The Bush administration has been reluctant to give the congressional committee investigating 9-11 everything it asks for. Cheney and others believe that Congress is intruding on the executive branch's intelligence-gathering and foreign-policy-making powers and that a "witch hunt" will distract and hobble the CIA and FBI. But the administration may also worry that if investigators keep digging, the U.S.-Saudi relationship will wind up in a deep hole.

A Royal Connection to 9-11?

1994
COMING TO AMERICA:Saudi native Omar al-Bayoumi arrives in the United States and settles in the San Diego area. Over the next few years he gets a job and immerses himself in the Islamic community.
Early 2000
INITIAL CONTACTS:After meeting two of the would-be 9-11 hijackers at L.A. Int'l Airport, al-Bayoumi sets them up in an apartment and pays the first two months of their rent.
March 2000
CASH FLOWS:Al-Bayoumi allegedly begins receiving stipends in the form of cashier's checks, originally purchased by Princess Haifa bint Faisal, the wife of Saudi envoy Prince Bandar. He facilitates getting ID for the two hijackers.
July 2001
THE BUCK PASSES:Al-Bayoumi leaves the United States for England; his close friend Osama Basnan receives the money.
Sept. 2001
TERROR STRIKES:Detained by authorities in England, al-Bayoumi asserts he has no connection to the 9-11 attacks. Soon after, the Hill launches an investigation.