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Saudi says no proof of money trail links to 9/11

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia said it had no “tangible proof” to investigate an alleged money trail from the kingdom to the September 11 hijackers, an action demanded by the United States.

“On what basis would we launch (an) investigation against Saudi nationals with no tangible evidence?” the Arabic-language al-Hayat newspaper on Thursday quoted Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef as saying.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in last year’s suicide attacks were Saudi citizens. A US Congressional inquiry is investigating a possible money trail from the Saudi Arabian government to two of the hijackers.

The White House said on Tuesday it was pressing Saudi Arabia to do more for the US “war on terrorism” and that a working group was seeking ways to persuade Riyadh to freeze some funds.

Saudi Arabia has denied financing any of the hijackers and Saudi newspapers said any such allegations were an attempt by US hawks to get Saudi support for a possible war against Iraq.

The London-based al Hayat said the prince was commenting on a Washington Post report that a working-level group had recommended a plan to force Riyadh to crack down on so-called terror financiers in 90 days or face US action to bring them to justice.

“These recommendations lack the preliminary evidence needed for any conviction. To investigate any person, there is a need for the other side to provide proof,” he said.

Relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia, its long-time Gulf ally and a major oil supplier, have been tested by reports that Riyadh has not done enough to crack down on Muslim militants.

But Prince Nayef said such reports do not reflect the official US attitude towards his country.

“We deal with the United States through the official channels only. We have noticed no conflict in cooperation with Washington,” he said. —Reuters

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