CIA wants 9/11 report secret chapter kept under wraps

A secret section of the 9/11 Commission Report that reportedly details Saudi Arabian funding for the attacks contains "uncorroborated, un-vetted" information and should not be released, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has said.

John Brennan, who runs the intelligence agency, voiced his support for keeping the notoriously redacted "28 pages" in the 2004 text from the public domain for fear of fuelling unfounded rumours, the Independent reported.

Brennan insisted the section was "thoroughly investigated and reviewed" by the official inquiry into 9/11.

He also maintained America had a "very strong" relationship with Saudi Arabia, a country from which 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers hailed.

"This chapter was kept out (of the public domain) because of concerns about sensitive methods (and) investigative actions," he said on NBC's Meet The Press.

Brennan said the report was "a combination of things that are accurate and inaccurate".

He maintained the inquiry into 9/11 "came out with a very clear judgement that there was no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution, or Saudi officials or individuals, had provided financial support to Al Qaeda.

"I think some people may seize upon that uncorroborated, un-vetted information... to point to Saudi involvement, which I think would be very, very inaccurate," he said.

Meanwhile, the families of the 9/11 victims were awaiting the outcome of legislation that would allow them to bring lawsuits against the Saudi government over attacks, which has not yet been possible.

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act bill has gone through the Senate but is yet to gain approval from the House of Representatives.

Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have voiced support for the proposed legislation, though President Barack Obama remains opposed to it, in part due to Saudi threats to sell US assets if it goes ahead.

--IANS

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