May 12, 2001, exactly seven months after the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen. The second time was in either June or July 2001 because Bin Laden had learned from media reports that (Ariel) Sharon [(the Israeli Prime Minister)] would be visiting the White House. On both occasions, Sheikh Mohammed was able to withstand Bin Laden's pressure by asserting that his hijacking team was not ready yet.
The Hijackers Travel Through Dubai, UAE
66. The hijackers traveled to the U.S. via Dubai, where they met with Mustafa Ahmed al-Hawsawi ("al-Hawsawi") and received final instructions on security and were informed that they had been selected to participate in a suicide hijacking operation of U.S. aircraft. The distribution of the hijacking teams was decided by Atta who communicated that information to al-Hawsawi. Al-Hawsawi coordinated the arrival in the U.S. of the various team members. Upon their arrival in the U.S., the hijackers were contacted by the pilot of their respective flight and given instructions.
Al-Qaeda Operatives Who Were Unsuccessful in Joining the 9/11 Operation
67. Sheikh Mohammed identified additional individuals who were intended to participate in the 9/11 attacks but, for various reasons, were unsuccessful in gaining entry into the U.S. As a result, the 9/11 operation was left with only
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