Edinburgh Evening News - Top Stories - Bin Laden family's US exit 'approved' Search:The WebTripod VforVendetta Share This Page Report Abuse Build a Site Browse Sites « Previous | Top 100 | Next » --scotsman.com network-- News Sites: News Sport Business The Scotsman Scotland on Sunday Edinburgh Evening News Classifieds: Careers Dating Motors Property Travel Games: Fantasy Golf Haggis Hunt Other Sites: Edinburgh Festivals Entertainment Heritage Leisure Photo Gallery Scotsman Calendar Weather Webcams EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS ONLINE Back Issue: Wednesday, 3rd September 2003 BACK ISSUES Change Date Exit Back Issues Sections Top Stories Edinburgh Scotland UK International Sport Business Politics Sci-Tech Education Entertainment Opinion Games Article Index Other Sections Features What's On Other Sites News Sport Business Print Editions The Scotsman Scotland on Sunday Back Issues Services Free News Email Free Webfeeds Syndication Wed 3 Sep 2003 printer friendly email article Bin Laden family's US exit 'approved' BILL ANDREWS THE United States allowed members of Osama bin Laden’s family to jet out of the US in the immediate aftermath of September 11, even as American airspace was closed. Former White House counter-terrorism tsar Richard Clarke said the Bush administration sanctioned the repatriation of about 140 high-ranking Saudi Arabians, including relatives of the al-Qaida chief. "Somebody brought to us for approval the decision to let an aeroplane filled with Saudis, including members of the Bin Laden family, leave the country," he said. Mr Clarke said he checked with FBI officials, who gave the go ahead. "So I said: ‘Fine, let it happen.’" He first asked the bureau to check that no-one "inappropriate" was leaving. "I have no idea if they did a good job," he added. Dale Watson, the FBI’s former head of counter-terrorism, said that, while the bureau identified the Saudis who were on the plane, "they were not subject to serious interrogations". The plane is believed to have landed in ten US cities picking up passengers, including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Boston and Houston. At the time, access to US airspace was restricted and required special government approval. Tom Kinton, director of aviation at Boston’s Logan Airport, said: "We were in the midst of the worst terrorist act in history and here we were seeing an evacuation of the Bin Ladens." But he said it was clear the flight had been sanctioned by federal authorities. Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to the US who is said to have organised the exodus, met President George Bush on September 13, 2001, two days after the terror attacks. It is not known if they discussed the repatriation plan. The White House has declined to comment on the claims, but sources said the Bush administration was confident no secret flights took place. Mr Clarke said he did not recall who requested approval for the flights, but believes it was either the FBI or the State Department. But FBI spokesman John Iannarelli said: "I can say unequivocally that the FBI had no role in facilitating these flights." Top Stories Minister leads celebration of Jodi's life Getting on top of city parking Two cases of bullying and race hate every school day Living in a state of terror 'Robber' blown up by bomb after raid 'Britishness tests' for immigrants revealed Nine months for child porn computer expert Rifkind snubbed in bid for safe Tory seat City woman killed in 150ft mountain plunge Scientist fishes for evolution answers Lands court will host Holyrood fiasco probe Thieves dip into bathers' lockers Bin Laden family's US exit 'approved' Roof-fall swimmer's lucky escape Bomb suspects face more questioning FRINGE FAILURES Forget the five-star Fringe Firsts, meet the one-star failures and know which shows to avoid. FREE NEWS FEEDS Add headlines to your site for any news category or topic with free RSS news feeds TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Did our festivals coverage leave you smiling, or did you end up wailing like a hungry baby? HEROES AND VILLAINS The Chancellor opens our eyes to Tony, while J-Lo orders the servants to avert their gaze GUIDE TO NET CULTURE Enjoy the sites that poke fun at the great and not so good using their very own words. SCOTLAND'S WEATHER 5-day forecast » property.scotsman.com Hundreds of ads online careers.scotsman.com Find your perfect job ©2003 Scotsman.com | contact | | | news feeds