Suit: Saudi Gov't Sponsored 9/11

This is a 'must read' article from IBD. And yet the Saudi government is our friend and we pay billions of dollars a year for Saudi oil when we have all the oil we need here at home. This Obama Administration is preventing us from drilling and is preventing us from becoming energy independent.

Posted 09/21/2011 06:32 PM ET

Justice: A new 9/11 lawsuit portrays the Saudi government as having more control over al-Qaida charities before the attacks than it (or the U.S.) has admitted. Let's hear the truth.

Lloyds of London seeks $215 million in damages from the kingdom to recover claims it paid 9/11 victims and their families. The suit charges that the Saudi government funded al-Qaida through its banks and charities.

The complaint, filed in U.S. court, states that without official Saudi sponsorship, "al-Qaida would not have possessed the capacity to conceive, plan and execute the Sept. 11 attacks." In other words, absent Saudi support, the Twin Towers would still be standing — along with nearly 3,000 Americans.

We're impressed by the documentation cited in the 156-page complaint by Cozen O'Conner, a major Washington law firm. It's much more detailed than the lawsuit brought on behalf of 9/11 families, which a federal judge dismissed for lack of evidence. This one might have a shot. It points to new intelligence, including recently leaked diplomatic cables.

Among the findings:

• Senior Saudi officials and Saudi royal family members — including Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif — either served as executives of suspect charities or sat on their boards while the charities were used to launder money to al-Qaida; and they knew of the activities.

• The Saudi charities themselves often provided not only money but employment cover, ID badges and logistical support to al-Qaida operatives.

• For example, the Saudi Joint Relief Committee>>>