Khalid Sheikh Mohammed: The alleged mastermind behind 9/11 | 60 Minutes Archive

60 Minutes rewind. 60 Minutes rewind. >> Osama bin Laden may still be at large, >> Osama bin Laden may still be at large, >> Osama bin Laden may still be at large, but the man captured in Pakistan last but the man captured in Pakistan last but the man captured in Pakistan last Saturday was even more important than Saturday was even more important than Saturday was even more important than bin Laden in the planning and execution bin Laden in the planning and execution bin Laden in the planning and execution of the September 11 attacks. Khaled Shik of the September 11 attacks. Khaled Shik of the September 11 attacks. Khaled Shik Muhammad was apprehended in his pajamas Muhammad was apprehended in his pajamas Muhammad was apprehended in his pajamas just before dawn in a suburban home near just before dawn in a suburban home near just before dawn in a suburban home near the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. The the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. The the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. The Americans will have many questions for Americans will have many questions for Americans will have many questions for him because as we first reported last him because as we first reported last him because as we first reported last fall, Khaled Shik Muhammad was not only fall, Khaled Shik Muhammad was not only fall, Khaled Shik Muhammad was not only the mastermind of 9/11 but America's the mastermind of 9/11 but America's the mastermind of 9/11 but America's most lethal enemy for more than a most lethal enemy for more than a most lethal enemy for more than a decade. Just how important he was in the decade. Just how important he was in the decade. Just how important he was in the campaign to bring America to its knees campaign to bring America to its knees campaign to bring America to its knees only started to dawn on US investigators only started to dawn on US investigators only started to dawn on US investigators last spring. It was around that time last spring. It was around that time last spring. It was around that time that a reporter for the Arabic news that a reporter for the Arabic news that a reporter for the Arabic news channel El Jazzer was summoned to channel El Jazzer was summoned to channel El Jazzer was summoned to Pakistan for a meeting with the men on Pakistan for a meeting with the men on Pakistan for a meeting with the men on the inside. The sweltering streets of Karach where The sweltering streets of Karach where last June reporter Yusri Fouda was being last June reporter Yusri Fouda was being last June reporter Yusri Fouda was being driven blindfolded. He'd been invited to driven blindfolded. He'd been invited to driven blindfolded. He'd been invited to Karach by al-Qaeda. That's all he knew.

Karach by al-Qaeda. That's all he knew. Karach by al-Qaeda. That's all he knew. >> I didn't have a clue who I was being led >> I didn't have a clue who I was being led >> I didn't have a clue who I was being led to. I didn't have a clue uh where I was to. I didn't have a clue uh where I was to. I didn't have a clue uh where I was being led. being led. being led. >> There were several changes of cars. Then >> There were several changes of cars. Then >> There were several changes of cars. Then Fuda was taken up a flight of stairs and Fuda was taken up a flight of stairs and Fuda was taken up a flight of stairs and into an apartment. into an apartment. into an apartment. >> Somebody started taking my blindfolds >> Somebody started taking my blindfolds >> Somebody started taking my blindfolds away. I opened my eyes and I realized I away. I opened my eyes and I realized I away. I opened my eyes and I realized I was uh only was uh only was uh only half a meter away from Khaled Muhammad. half a meter away from Khaled Muhammad. half a meter away from Khaled Muhammad. >> Khaled Sheikh Muhammad, a Kuwaiti of >> Khaled Sheikh Muhammad, a Kuwaiti of >> Khaled Sheikh Muhammad, a Kuwaiti of Pakistani descent before he was seized Pakistani descent before he was seized Pakistani descent before he was seized last Saturday. Muhammad shown here last Saturday. Muhammad shown here last Saturday. Muhammad shown here moments after his arrest had only been moments after his arrest had only been moments after his arrest had only been interviewed once in his life. His interviewed once in his life. His interviewed once in his life. His meeting with Yusri Fuda was his first meeting with Yusri Fuda was his first meeting with Yusri Fuda was his first and almost certainly his last with a and almost certainly his last with a and almost certainly his last with a reporter. reporter. reporter. >> Immediately Khaled introduces himself as >> Immediately Khaled introduces himself as >> Immediately Khaled introduces himself as head of the military committee of head of the military committee of head of the military committee of al-Qaeda. al-Qaeda. al-Qaeda. >> Did that surprise you? >> Did that surprise you? >> Did that surprise you? >> It did not surprise me. It stunned me. >> It did not surprise me. It stunned me. >> It did not surprise me. It stunned me. that committee actually was the um arm that committee actually was the um arm that committee actually was the um arm of al-Qaeda uh which decided first of of al-Qaeda uh which decided first of of al-Qaeda uh which decided first of all according to Khaled to strike u all according to Khaled to strike u all according to Khaled to strike u America inside America and to eventually America inside America and to eventually America inside America and to eventually choose the targets which were actually choose the targets which were actually choose the targets which were actually hit uh on September 11th.

hit uh on September 11th. hit uh on September 11th. Khaled Sheek Muhammad had his own name Khaled Sheek Muhammad had his own name Khaled Sheek Muhammad had his own name for 9/11, Holy Tuesday. And Muhammad for 9/11, Holy Tuesday. And Muhammad for 9/11, Holy Tuesday. And Muhammad admitted that he'd come up with the idea admitted that he'd come up with the idea admitted that he'd come up with the idea of the attacks himself of the attacks himself of the attacks himself >> and developed it, >> and developed it, >> and developed it, um, planned for it, recruited for it, um, planned for it, recruited for it, um, planned for it, recruited for it, and executed it. and executed it. and executed it. >> It sounds from what you're saying that >> It sounds from what you're saying that >> It sounds from what you're saying that Bin Laden is the chairman of the board Bin Laden is the chairman of the board Bin Laden is the chairman of the board and Khaled Shik Muhammad is the and Khaled Shik Muhammad is the and Khaled Shik Muhammad is the executive officer. He gets things done. executive officer. He gets things done. executive officer. He gets things done. >> Very much so. >> Very much so. >> Very much so. >> Therefore, he's the man. >> Therefore, he's the man. >> Therefore, he's the man. >> That's right. When Fuda's blindfold was >> That's right. When Fuda's blindfold was >> That's right. When Fuda's blindfold was removed, he saw that Khali Shik Muhammad removed, he saw that Khali Shik Muhammad removed, he saw that Khali Shik Muhammad was not the only man in the room. was not the only man in the room. was not the only man in the room. Sitting in the corner was Ramsey Bin Sitting in the corner was Ramsey Bin Sitting in the corner was Ramsey Bin Al-Shib, Muhammad Ata's Hamburg Al-Shib, Muhammad Ata's Hamburg Al-Shib, Muhammad Ata's Hamburg roommate. Unlike Khali Shik Muhammad, roommate. Unlike Khali Shik Muhammad, roommate. Unlike Khali Shik Muhammad, bin Alshe was ready to do an interview bin Alshe was ready to do an interview bin Alshe was ready to do an interview for broadcast. This is the voice of a for broadcast. This is the voice of a for broadcast. This is the voice of a 911 conspirator. Balib told Fuda he was proud of the Balib told Fuda he was proud of the attacks and had no regrets whatsoever. attacks and had no regrets whatsoever. attacks and had no regrets whatsoever. >> They take pride in the fact that it was >> They take pride in the fact that it was >> They take pride in the fact that it was very creative to Ramsey himself said it very creative to Ramsey himself said it very creative to Ramsey himself said it bluntly that u um they would like to be bluntly that u um they would like to be bluntly that u um they would like to be credited for this. Most of the credit, credited for this. Most of the credit, credited for this. Most of the credit, as they call it, must go to Khali as they call it, must go to Khali as they call it, must go to Khali Sheekch Muhammad, who has a decadel long Sheekch Muhammad, who has a decadel long Sheekch Muhammad, who has a decadel long history of terrorizing Americans.

history of terrorizing Americans. history of terrorizing Americans. Intelligence sources tell us it was Intelligence sources tell us it was Intelligence sources tell us it was Muhammad who directed the first World Muhammad who directed the first World Muhammad who directed the first World Trade Center under bombing, as well as a Trade Center under bombing, as well as a Trade Center under bombing, as well as a 1995 plot to down a dozen American 1995 plot to down a dozen American 1995 plot to down a dozen American airliners in the Pacific and crash a airliners in the Pacific and crash a airliners in the Pacific and crash a plane into the CIA headquarters. His plane into the CIA headquarters. His plane into the CIA headquarters. His operative in those plots was his own operative in those plots was his own operative in those plots was his own nephew Ramsey Ysef. But those attacks nephew Ramsey Ysef. But those attacks nephew Ramsey Ysef. But those attacks failed for the most part and Ysef was failed for the most part and Ysef was failed for the most part and Ysef was captured in Pakistan and put behind bars captured in Pakistan and put behind bars captured in Pakistan and put behind bars in the United States. But Khali Shik in the United States. But Khali Shik in the United States. But Khali Shik Muhammad not a trace. A master of Muhammad not a trace. A master of Muhammad not a trace. A master of disguises, he traveled the world disguises, he traveled the world disguises, he traveled the world unnoticed. Then in 1996, word suddenly unnoticed. Then in 1996, word suddenly unnoticed. Then in 1996, word suddenly reached the FBI that Muhammad was in the reached the FBI that Muhammad was in the reached the FBI that Muhammad was in the Gulf state of Qatar. The FBI acted Gulf state of Qatar. The FBI acted Gulf state of Qatar. The FBI acted quickly. We sent a team of FBI agents quickly. We sent a team of FBI agents quickly. We sent a team of FBI agents from this country uh with the from this country uh with the from this country uh with the cooperation of the uh the government of cooperation of the uh the government of cooperation of the uh the government of Qar to uh to bring him back. Qar to uh to bring him back. Qar to uh to bring him back. >> The FBI's Neil Herman had headed the >> The FBI's Neil Herman had headed the >> The FBI's Neil Herman had headed the bureau's investigation of the 93 World bureau's investigation of the 93 World bureau's investigation of the 93 World Trade Center bombing and he was Trade Center bombing and he was Trade Center bombing and he was desperate to capture Muhammad in Qatar desperate to capture Muhammad in Qatar desperate to capture Muhammad in Qatar >> for whatever reason. Still remains a >> for whatever reason. Still remains a >> for whatever reason. Still remains a mystery. He found out that the team was mystery. He found out that the team was mystery. He found out that the team was on route and the uh the rendition was on route and the uh the rendition was on route and the uh the rendition was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, our best unsuccessful. Unfortunately, our best unsuccessful. Unfortunately, our best opportunity was missed.

opportunity was missed. opportunity was missed. >> After you tried to get him in Qatara and >> After you tried to get him in Qatara and >> After you tried to get him in Qatara and failed, do you think he sort of slipped failed, do you think he sort of slipped failed, do you think he sort of slipped through the cracks? through the cracks? through the cracks? >> He fell off the table. He disappeared >> He fell off the table. He disappeared >> He fell off the table. He disappeared for years, never to be heard from again for years, never to be heard from again for years, never to be heard from again until September 11th. until September 11th. until September 11th. >> College Muhammad had escaped. But with >> College Muhammad had escaped. But with >> College Muhammad had escaped. But with his nephew Ramsey Yusf serving a life his nephew Ramsey Yusf serving a life his nephew Ramsey Yusf serving a life sentence, Muhammad needed a new sentence, Muhammad needed a new sentence, Muhammad needed a new blueprint and a new master terrorist, blueprint and a new master terrorist, blueprint and a new master terrorist, someone who could finish the job. You someone who could finish the job. You someone who could finish the job. You need a perfectionist if you are playing need a perfectionist if you are playing need a perfectionist if you are playing uh with America. uh with America. uh with America. And I think for for these reasons uh was And I think for for these reasons uh was And I think for for these reasons uh was lucky to find someone like Ata with lucky to find someone like Ata with lucky to find someone like Ata with these qualities and at the same time these qualities and at the same time these qualities and at the same time with a lot of black smoke inside him. with a lot of black smoke inside him. with a lot of black smoke inside him. >> The smoke appeared in Hamburg, Germany >> The smoke appeared in Hamburg, Germany >> The smoke appeared in Hamburg, Germany where Muhammad Atau was in college. He where Muhammad Atau was in college. He where Muhammad Atau was in college. He grew a beard to show solidarity with grew a beard to show solidarity with grew a beard to show solidarity with Muslim fundamentalists. He was looking Muslim fundamentalists. He was looking Muslim fundamentalists. He was looking for a cause. Khali Muhammad was looking for a cause. Khali Muhammad was looking for a cause. Khali Muhammad was looking for a candidate. It was a perfect match. for a candidate. It was a perfect match. for a candidate. It was a perfect match. Ata was recruited by al-Qaeda at Ata was recruited by al-Qaeda at Ata was recruited by al-Qaeda at Hamorg's Elkud's mosque, hidden in this Hamorg's Elkud's mosque, hidden in this Hamorg's Elkud's mosque, hidden in this nondescript building. By November 99, nondescript building. By November 99, nondescript building. By November 99, Ata and two other future pilots were Ata and two other future pilots were Ata and two other future pilots were sent to Afghanistan to an elite al-Qaeda sent to Afghanistan to an elite al-Qaeda sent to Afghanistan to an elite al-Qaeda camp. Khalichek Muhammad and his camp. Khalichek Muhammad and his camp. Khalichek Muhammad and his lieutenants had drawn up a new plan for lieutenants had drawn up a new plan for lieutenants had drawn up a new plan for America. A plan he shared with our America. A plan he shared with our America. A plan he shared with our consultant, Yusri Fuda. The first thing consultant, Yusri Fuda. The first thing consultant, Yusri Fuda. The first thing that jumped into their minds according that jumped into their minds according that jumped into their minds according um to Khaled U was striking at a couple um to Khaled U was striking at a couple um to Khaled U was striking at a couple of nuclear facilities in America. That

of nuclear facilities in America. That of nuclear facilities in America. That according to him was later taken off um according to him was later taken off um according to him was later taken off um the list for fear it might get out of the list for fear it might get out of the list for fear it might get out of hand. hand. hand. >> What does that mean get out of hand? >> What does that mean get out of hand? >> What does that mean get out of hand? >> I did ask uh what do you mean? He said >> I did ask uh what do you mean? He said >> I did ask uh what do you mean? He said uh we didn't want to take much risk. He uh we didn't want to take much risk. He uh we didn't want to take much risk. He just said, "We decided not to consider just said, "We decided not to consider just said, "We decided not to consider this for now. this for now. this for now. >> For now, >> For now, >> For now, >> for now." >> for now." >> for now." >> Instead, the operation would strike its >> Instead, the operation would strike its >> Instead, the operation would strike its symbols of America's military, symbols of America's military, symbols of America's military, political, and economic power. political, and economic power. political, and economic power. When Ata arrived in New York in June When Ata arrived in New York in June When Ata arrived in New York in June 2000, he carried with him a report on 2000, he carried with him a report on 2000, he carried with him a report on potential targets made by reconnaissance potential targets made by reconnaissance potential targets made by reconnaissance teams colleague Sheek Muhammad had sent teams colleague Sheek Muhammad had sent teams colleague Sheek Muhammad had sent to the US a year earlier. The White to the US a year earlier. The White to the US a year earlier. The White House at that time was on the list, but House at that time was on the list, but House at that time was on the list, but uh one of the reconnaissance units went uh one of the reconnaissance units went uh one of the reconnaissance units went back and um recommended that um it back and um recommended that um it back and um recommended that um it should be taken out of the list for should be taken out of the list for should be taken out of the list for navigation reasons. navigation reasons. navigation reasons. >> The White House was too difficult to >> The White House was too difficult to >> The White House was too difficult to hit. The capital took its place. At the hit. The capital took its place. At the hit. The capital took its place. At the top of the list, a site Khali Chick top of the list, a site Khali Chick top of the list, a site Khali Chick Muhammad wanted to revisit with a Muhammad wanted to revisit with a Muhammad wanted to revisit with a vengeance, the Twin Towers.

vengeance, the Twin Towers. vengeance, the Twin Towers. His new plan took elements of the 93 His new plan took elements of the 93 His new plan took elements of the 93 World Trade Center bombing and mixed World Trade Center bombing and mixed World Trade Center bombing and mixed them with a failed 95 operation to use them with a failed 95 operation to use them with a failed 95 operation to use American airliners as weapons. He said American airliners as weapons. He said American airliners as weapons. He said that during that meeting of his that during that meeting of his that during that meeting of his committee, they decided that the goal committee, they decided that the goal committee, they decided that the goal was was was to cause as many deaths as possible to to cause as many deaths as possible to to cause as many deaths as possible to direct a big slap uh to America um on direct a big slap uh to America um on direct a big slap uh to America um on American soil in front of the world. American soil in front of the world. American soil in front of the world. >> To deliver the slap, the terrorists >> To deliver the slap, the terrorists >> To deliver the slap, the terrorists learned how to fly in Florida. Now it learned how to fly in Florida. Now it learned how to fly in Florida. Now it was time to choose the hijackers, the was time to choose the hijackers, the was time to choose the hijackers, the guys who would actually take over the guys who would actually take over the guys who would actually take over the planes. planes. planes. >> About 5 months before the zero hour, um >> About 5 months before the zero hour, um >> About 5 months before the zero hour, um the foot soldiers or so-called muscles the foot soldiers or so-called muscles the foot soldiers or so-called muscles uh were chosen uh were chosen uh were chosen >> chosen by Muhammad mainly. He said that >> chosen by Muhammad mainly. He said that >> chosen by Muhammad mainly. He said that um his problem actually was the um his problem actually was the um his problem actually was the opposite. He had too many volunteers.

opposite. He had too many volunteers. opposite. He had too many volunteers. With more than a dozen Saudis now on the With more than a dozen Saudis now on the With more than a dozen Saudis now on the team to serve as the muscle, Ata flew to team to serve as the muscle, Ata flew to team to serve as the muscle, Ata flew to a Spanish coastal resort in mid July. It a Spanish coastal resort in mid July. It a Spanish coastal resort in mid July. It was a short working vacation, Ata met was a short working vacation, Ata met was a short working vacation, Ata met his old Hamburg roommate, Ramsey Bin his old Hamburg roommate, Ramsey Bin his old Hamburg roommate, Ramsey Bin Al-Se, who had a message from Khaled Al-Se, who had a message from Khaled Al-Se, who had a message from Khaled Shik Muhammad. The final date for the Shik Muhammad. The final date for the Shik Muhammad. The final date for the operation was in Ata's hands. A month operation was in Ata's hands. A month operation was in Ata's hands. A month later, the phone rang in Bin Alshe's later, the phone rang in Bin Alshe's later, the phone rang in Bin Alshe's Hamburg apartment at 3:00 a.m. It was Hamburg apartment at 3:00 a.m. It was Hamburg apartment at 3:00 a.m. It was Ata calling from Florida with an Ata calling from Florida with an Ata calling from Florida with an important but cryptic message. Ata goes, important but cryptic message. Ata goes, important but cryptic message. Ata goes, "Two sticks, a dash, and a cake with a "Two sticks, a dash, and a cake with a "Two sticks, a dash, and a cake with a stick down." That was the zero hour. Two stick down." That was the zero hour. Two stick down." That was the zero hour. Two sticks, the number 11. A dash is a dash sticks, the number 11. A dash is a dash sticks, the number 11. A dash is a dash and a and a and and a cake with a stick and a and a and and a cake with a stick and a and a and and a cake with a stick down is the number nine. down is the number nine. down is the number nine. >> The 11th of September, Bin Alib >> The 11th of September, Bin Alib >> The 11th of September, Bin Alib scrambled leaving Hamburg for Pakistan. scrambled leaving Hamburg for Pakistan. scrambled leaving Hamburg for Pakistan. From there he sent a messenger into From there he sent a messenger into From there he sent a messenger into Afghanistan with news for Khaled Shik Afghanistan with news for Khaled Shik Afghanistan with news for Khaled Shik Muhammad. Tuesday, September 11 would be Muhammad. Tuesday, September 11 would be Muhammad. Tuesday, September 11 would be the day.

Khaled Shik Muhammad and bin Al-Se told Khaled Shik Muhammad and bin Al-Se told Fuda they were actually disappointed by Fuda they were actually disappointed by Fuda they were actually disappointed by the results of 9/11. They had hoped for the results of 9/11. They had hoped for the results of 9/11. They had hoped for a much higher death toll. Ironically for Bin Alshe, the end also Ironically for Bin Alshe, the end also came on September 11th, exactly a year came on September 11th, exactly a year came on September 11th, exactly a year to the day after the 9/11 attacks. He to the day after the 9/11 attacks. He to the day after the 9/11 attacks. He was arrested in Karachi. His voice on was arrested in Karachi. His voice on was arrested in Karachi. His voice on the audioaped interview with Fuda had the audioaped interview with Fuda had the audioaped interview with Fuda had been matched to a phone call. The arrest been matched to a phone call. The arrest been matched to a phone call. The arrest tightened the news. And last Saturday tightened the news. And last Saturday tightened the news. And last Saturday morning, Khali Shik Muhammad received a morning, Khali Shik Muhammad received a morning, Khali Shik Muhammad received a wakeup call. At 3:30 a.m., Pakistani wakeup call. At 3:30 a.m., Pakistani wakeup call. At 3:30 a.m., Pakistani agents with help from American agents with help from American agents with help from American intelligence stormed into his hiding intelligence stormed into his hiding intelligence stormed into his hiding place and caught the mastermind of 9/11. place and caught the mastermind of 9/11. place and caught the mastermind of 9/11. Osama bin Laden may still be at large, Osama bin Laden may still be at large, Osama bin Laden may still be at large, but al-Qaeda may never be the same.