Archive Classified Shopping Advertising Games Fast Times My Profile

SUNDAY TIMES
Britain
Comment
World
Scotland
Ireland
Review
Football
Sport
Business
100 Best Companies
Money
Property
Magazine
Travel
Culture
Books
Doors
Style
Motoring
On Location
Horoscopes
Rich List
TIMES ONLINE
Home
Breaking news
Britain
World
Business
Sport
World Cup
Your Money
Comment
Sports Book
Travel
Shopping
Classifieds
Law
Games
Crossword
Sunday Times
NEWSPAPER
Today
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
QUICK CLICKS
Appointments
Arts
Books
Contact Us
Creme
Education
Film
First night
Food and Drink
From the Archive
Good University Guide
Health
Motoring
Online Specials
Play
Promotions
Property
Subscription
Supplements
Talking Point
Television and Radio
The Register
Times e-mail
Times 2
Times Services
Weekend

The Sunday Times - Britain

June 09, 2002

MI6 warned US of Al-Qaeda attacks

MI6 warned the American intelligence services about a plot to hijack aircraft and crash them into buildings two years before the September 11 attacks.

Liaison staff at the American embassy in Grosvenor Square in London were passed a secret report by MI6 in 1999 after the intelligence service picked up indications from human intelligence sources (Humint) that Osama Bin Laden's followers were planning attacks in which civilian aircraft could be used in "unconventional ways".

Information did not specify targets and would not necessarily have enabled US agencies to prevent attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, intelligence sources said.

Details of the MI6 warning, expected to emerge during secret Congressional hearings this week in Washington into alleged intelligence failings, will increase pressure on the Bush administration for a radical shake-up of America's counterterrorism efforts.

President George W Bush has already announced plans for a new "homeland defence department" with a £25 billion annual budget to combat terrorism. "We need to know when warnings were missed or signs unheeded — not to point the finger of blame, but to make sure we correct any problems," he said last week.

MI6 had information as early as 1998 that Al-Qaeda was plotting fresh attacks. A series of warnings was passed to Washington, some concerning threats to American interests in Europe, including the US embassy in Paris. One message detailed heightened activity by suspected Al-Qaeda terror cells.

"The Americans knew of plans to use commercial aircraft in unconventional ways, possibly as flying bombs," said a senior Foreign Office source.

A US government spokesman declined to comment. oPolice in London last week deployed for the first time on the British mainland new anti-suicide attack steps after Scotland Yard sent a delegation to meet security experts in Israel.

Israeli-style barriers consisting of articulated lorries loaded with concrete were placed across Waterloo bridge to prevent a would-be terrorist from driving into the state coach as the Queen travelled to a jubilee service at St Paul's cathedral.

Print this article Send to a friend Back to top of page
 
  ALSO IN THIS SECTION
  Knighthood for Jagger, his Satanic Majesty

  MI6 warned US of Al-Qaeda attacks

  Brown vetoes plan to bring back the student grant

  Quarter of nurses may come from abroad

  TV deal to end piracy action

  Two names go forward for Archbishop of Canterbury choice

READER SERVICES
FAST TIMES
The latest information to your mobile phone
.........................................
PDA
News direct to your palm-top
.........................................
TALKING POINT
Visit the Times Online discussion forum
.........................................
SPORTS CALENDAR
Search the full year's fixtures
.........................................
YOUR WEATHER
Request the latest local weather forecast
.........................................
SHOPPING
Browse and buy online from a range of special offers
.........................................
CROSSWORD BOOK
Can you complete The Times crossword? Buy the latest crossword compendium here
.........................................
  ADVERTISEMENT
TOOLS & SERVICES
World Cup VIP Pass
Get more from the World Cup with Times Online and T-Mobile: live match coverage, exclusive content, sms scores and free Fantasy League.
.........................................
Find me a London hotel
London hotel booking facility from
.........................................
My Money
Update your financial profile with
.........................................
The Sunday Times Enterprise Network
Case studies, information, advice, events and exclusive offers for middle market businesses online
.........................................
Find me a brochure
Search our brochure database, powered by
.........................................
Football auction
Signed shirts, programmes, autographs and more...
.........................................
Crossword Maestro
Get the world's first expert system for solving crosswords
.........................................
Money Shop
Search and compare 1000's of financial products with



Copyright 2002 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.
To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from The Times, visit the Syndication website.