Operation 1420

By David Lema

On patrol in the Persian Gulf testing new surveillance gear, a secret team aboard the destroyer USS John Young uncovers an al Qaeda plot to snatch Kashmiri youth and train them as highly skilled techno-bombers to attack security, financial and air traffic computer systems around the world.

The saga begins in 1989 with the first meeting of the al Qaeda Shura Council in Pakistan where Osama bin Laden and other key members of al Qaeda discuss and launch scores of terrorist initiatives and sow the seeds of the organization across the globe. One of the actions taken by the Council is to launch their most complicated and destructive plan – code named Operation 1420.

Leveraging the just-emerging international technology crisis, later known as Y2K, the Council sets in motion an expansive strategy for intercepting millions of lines of computer systems code and contaminating them with al Qaeda modules designed to disrupt normal business operations at the whim of al Qaeda leadership.

Operation 1420 is driven by actual events while portraying the recruitment, training and deployment of some of the brightest and most motivated youth of the Kashmir region. The story tracks them and their mission over an 11 year period – their journey intersects often with the voyages of the USS Young on its many tours to the Persian Gulf area from its home port of San Diego.

Intrigue, adventure, treachery, suspense, secrecy and even romance are the hallmarks of Operation 1420. In portraying an al Qaeda plan that unnerves even the most confident of terrorism authorities, the tale knits together otherwise unconnected real events, while wending its way through the countries, cities and locales foremost in today’s headlines of international terrorist activity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Lema
• Release date: Jun 25, 2010
• ISBN: 9780615343952

David Lema

Mr. Lema is proprietor of D. R. Lema & Associates (DRL) in Elk Grove, California providing business management, strategic planning, information technology and marketing consulting services to government agencies and private sector firms. As an independent consultant since 1989, Mr. Lema's firm has completed engagements nationwide which have resulted in significant savings, increased efficiencies, greater sales and more operating flexibilities for clients. The firm has specialized in providing consulting services for high profile, large, multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplined, complex government projects and private undertakings including business process and work flow improvements. In 2009 he e-published his first novel of historical fiction “Operation 1420” followed in 2011 by his second such work “Operation Ersatz”. He is currently writing the final work of the trilogy, “Operation Aeolus”, slated to be e-published in 2014. D. R. Lema & Associates is the publisher of his works. Mr. Lema has been a lecturer to government and private sector audiences in over 20 state capitols and numerous major cities throughout the United States and overseas. He has written scores of columns and editorials on the subjects of information technology in government and business settings, and the changing dynamics of business operations which are being driven by information technology. From 1987 to 1993 he was Editorial Advisor of Government Technology magazine. Mr. Lema was an Associate Professor at California State University Dominguez Hills, in the subjects of political science and U.S. history and was an Adjunct Professor at California State University Sacramento in business management, information technology and executive development. As an Adjunct Professor at CSUS he also lectured in the Executive Leadership Forum Program for the University. Mr. Lema holds college instructor credentials in Business and Industrial Management and Computer and Related Technologies. Prior to establishing his independent consultant practice in 1989, Mr. Lema was appointed to serve as the Director of the Stephen P. Teale Data Center of the State of California, a position he held for over eight years. The Teale Data Center, (since renamed the Department of Information Technology), is the state’s general purpose information technology service bureau, operating as an enterprise fund, and providing a broad range of services to over 120 government agencies in California. He served in this capacity in the Administrations of Governors Jerry Brown (first tenure) and George Deukmejian. As part of his consulting practice, Mr. Lema created the Accelerator Network, a close affiliation of synergistic, individual clients of David R. Lema & Associates representing the most experienced, innovative and versatile specialists in the world of advanced information technologies covering the areas of marketing, competitive and strategic competencies. The Accelerator Network operated from 1995 to 2007 and included Member / Clients who were Fortune 100 companies as well as creative start-up firms. In 1999 under Mr. Lema’s guidance and leadership, a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan for Governance of the State of California was prepared. This Plan outlines the procedures for continuing governance of the State of California in the event of a major disruption that interrupts the day-to-day activities of the Legislative, Judicial and Executive Branches, including the six Governor’s Offices located throughout California and in Washington D. C. In 2001 Mr. Lema was appointed by California Governor Gray Davis to represent the private sector on the Governor’s State Strategic Committee on Terrorism (SSCOT). In this capacity he acted as a liaison between the public and private sectors as the Committee pursued its mission of Homeland Security for California. In 2003 Mr. Lema launched an effort to create a new company with two principal concentrations: 1) Strategic Planning and Project Management for large government Information Technology initiatives, and: 2) Homeland Security initiatives such as Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Operations Planning and Hazard Assessments and Mitigation Planning. The firm, Bluecrane, Inc., has secured engagements with several jurisdictions to oversee strategic planning and project management activities in extremely large, complex and politically sensitive state and local government projects such as data center disaster recovery and redundancy and human services, unemployment and taxing applications. Homeland security engagements for Bluecrane have included preparing the emergency operations plans and local hazard mitigation plans for cities, counties and special districts, including some of the largest entities in the country. Mr. Lema concluded buy-out arrangements with Bluecrane in 2009. Mr. Lema earned a Master, Business Administration degree at Golden Gate University, San Francisco, Bachelor of Arts - Management degree at California State University, Sacramento and an Associate of Arts, Accounting degree at Sacramento City College. He lives in Elk Grove, California.

Book preview

Operation 1420

By David R. Lema

Copyright © 2009 by David R. Lema

Published by David R. Lema & Associates

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2009 by David R. Lema

All rights reserved.

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means whatsoever without permission.

David R. Lema & Associates

P. O. Box 2104, Elk Grove, CA 95759-2104

[e-mail]

ISBN: 978-0-615-34395-2

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase you own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgments

I extend many thanks to Joanna Jullien and Tom Mahon for their constructive encouragement and criticism in the preparation of the manuscript.

Much love and appreciation to my daughter Michelle for her keen insight and perspective on writing technique and story line development.

I make a special note of thanks and gratitude to Brian Mendelsohn for impelling me to take the plunge into the world of writing.

Table of Contents

The Prologue

The Plan

The Discovery

The Preparations

The Implementation

The Solution

The Epilogue

The Prologue

In the past twenty years the world has witnessed the rise of unprecedented turmoil and destruction by forces not aligned with any state. These forces profess an ideological motivation connected to the strictest interpretation of Islam. The principle organization in this phenomenon has been al Qaeda.

Envisioned in 1988 and organized in 1989, al Qaeda has instigated, planned, executed and provided the model for some of the most horrific actions against humanity in modern history. al Qaeda membership has been a top priority target of almost every nation in the world for capture or elimination.

Many of the al Qaeda players are well known today – but at the time the organization was envisioned, only a handful of intelligence personnel around the world were even vaguely familiar with these individuals. al Qaeda actions have been evil and destructive, and their motives questionable, the structure, communication and command-and-control of the organization have been unrivaled by other groups.

Operation 1420, like al Qaeda itself, was created in the Kashmir area of the South Asia Sub Continent. For millennia Kashmir has been a crossroads of people, cultures, faiths and commerce. The region has been witness to the original migration of humans out of Africa, the rise and fall of empires, many hordes of invaders and the birth of popular uprisings. For all its history, this area is today best known for what has become the ‘trail of terrorism’ – the road between Kabul, Afghanistan through Islamabad and Peshawar, Pakistan to Srinagar, India.

This chronicle documents the key events in the development of the al Qaeda plan named Operation 1420. This plan, without question, is the most elaborate, complicated and destructive initiative ever designed by a terrorist group. Components of the plan have been launched around the world with varied results.

In this account, the events, players and dates of the creation and deployment of Operation 1420 are overlaid with other worldwide events and elements which have never before been linked to the plan. Key among these is the story of the USS John Young (DD973). For over 15 years the Young and her scores of Officers and hundreds of Crewmembers played a critical and ongoing role in discovering the plan and in responding to the plan.

Once Operation 1420 was discovered, enormous effort was initiated to put a stop to the plan and deal with the perpetrators. Military action ensued, rules of engagement were rewritten and lives have been forever upturned.

Those charged with the responsibility of thwarting the plan did not seek their roles; far from it. Rather, they found themselves in positions that left them no choice but to confront al Qaeda head-on.

The Plan

1

Peshawar, Pakistan, February 9, 1989, 10:30 a.m.

Khak was in awe. He was providing security in the meeting room for the first gathering of the al Qaeda Shura Council. Faces were now put to the many names that Khak had only heard of as leaders in the Extremist Islamist movement.

The meeting was being held in a house owned by a friend of Saif al-Adel in a neighborhood near the Peshawar Airport just off of Khyber Road. This road followed the historic Silk Route which linked Kabul and Jalalabad, Afghanistan through the Khyber Pass to Peshawar and Islamabad, Pakistan and on to Srinagar in the Kashmir district of India.

The simple house in a family neighborhood had a clean appearance with a small patch of grass in the front yard with several small trees for shade. There was a smooth packed-dirt driveway leading from the street. A white-washed wall lined with climbing plants separated the driveway from the neighbor’s home.

Khak was nothing more than a lowly soldier in his own eyes. Although only in his thirties, his leathery skin and rough-hewn features made him look twenty years older. He had fought long and hard for Islam in his homeland of Kashmir. His fighting continued in Afghanistan for the past several years. It was his family’s duty to shed blood for the movement. But not in his wildest of dreams did he think he would have the privilege of being in the presence of such greatness.

In addition to the Emir Osama bin Laden, the others in attendance were Mohammed Atef, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Saif al-Adel, Mamdouh Mahmud Salim, Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah and Abu Faraj al-Yemeni.

The only member Khak had met before was Saif al-Adel who had personally asked him to oversee security. Khak knew that al-Adel reported to Mohammed Atef and was therefore surprised to see them in the same meeting with apparently equal status.

Khak listened intently as the agenda was outlined by bin Laden.

We are here today to launch a new weapon at the hearts of our enemies, said bin Laden. Each of you brings experience, resources and an avid commitment to rid our countries of foreigners and create a new Islamic caliphate.

Khak had heard these words before from others but the power and impact of bin Laden’s speech made him proud to be a fighter for the movement. For the first time since he saw his father killed by the Russians, tears welled up in his eyes. This time they were tears of joy. He was truly happy.

First, we must all agree that once we leave this meeting, we will never again meet as one, bin Laden continued. Thanks to Saif al-Adel you have all been given the codes, processes and tools for further communications. We must not violate this pledge. Once we move forward with our plans, our lives, our objectives, the future of Islam depend on our allegiance.

Silence filled the room. There was a mixture of both sullenness and excitement with the sudden reality of what they were about to undertake. Ayman al-Zawahiri broke the silence. We are all with you! His voice was forceful, but those outside the room who knew him well would have been surprised at such a strong and immediate commitment.

Good, continued bin Laden. We must use our time together today wisely and efficiently. I want to hear the ideas you have for defeating our enemies. Of each of your proposals, you must tell us why our enemies are vulnerable and why our objectives will be benefited.

Ignoring the arrival of tea, bin Laden added, For those plans we accept, the details will be developed in the future under the methods for us to communicate created by al-Adel.

Mamdouh Mahmud Salim spoke first. Commander, I feel strongly that we should take advantage of the ease with which we might detonate a nuclear bomb of modest size on American soil. There are many routes to take and many targets from which to select.

Although they are aiding our efforts now to defeat the Russians in Afghanistan, he continued, the Americans are our ultimate enemy because of their lust for our oil and their unprincipled support of Israel. The impact of a nuclear bomb would bring the Americans to their knees overnight.

Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah immediately spoke up. It is far too impractical for us to undertake such an ambitious scheme. How are we to acquire the nuclear material? How are we to build the device? What we need to consider is a plan that we know we can complete with success.

Abdullah, I know without question that you are an excellent planner, said bin Laden, but perhaps you misunderstood my intentions for this meeting. We are here not to pick just ONE plan, but several plans.

We must take bold steps to make our presence known to the world, especially to the Americans, bin Laden emphasized. The weapon of which I speak is al Qaeda.

My apologies, Commander, I meant no disrespect. Of course, your strategy is brilliant. How stupid of me, Abdullah responded with embarrassment.

So, please, what other ideas are there? bin Laden asked.

al-Zawahiri sat up straight in his chair. As a leader of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, he was well versed in the politics of this type of organization. As he prepared to speak, he thought intently to carefully select his words. He had a number of good ideas but he wasn’t yet certain that this was the time or organization with which to lay out his thinking. He chose a diplomatic approach.

We must look to do as much harm and disruption to our enemies as we are able to muster. We can’t be too selective in our choices. All ideas must be acted upon, al-Zawahiri said.

Before he could continue with his speech, Abu Faraj al-Yemeni abruptly injected.

We cannot undertake every idea that we hear today. Our resources, both soldiers and money, are limited. We must be highly selective and strategic.

After a purposefully long pause, al-Zawahiri continued as if al-Yemeni had said nothing.

Some ideas will be of top priority. They will be well thought-out, planned, funded and executed by our best forces. The others, of lower priority, will be intended to bring interest to our movement as we move among our people seeking recruits. If they are executed with effectiveness then all the better.

Let me hear more of your thinking al-Zawahiri, said bin Laden.

Emir, al-Zawahiri continued, we must act bigger than we are. We will not be able to match our enemy’s bullets. We also cannot conduct a typical gorilla campaign. We know all too well how much it has cost us in defeating the Russians and this with the HELP of the Americans.

I see your logic my friend, bin Laden complimented. The ultimate strength of al Qaeda will be in providing leadership-by-action to the untold numbers of our brethren across the world.

If we can launch bold and effective strikes at our enemies while at the same time providing the framework for other such actions we will also launch an unstoppable force, bin Laden added.

Exactly, al-Zawahiri agreed. al Qaeda provides an obvious target to focus on by our enemies. They will chase us to the ends of the earth. If we evade them with all purpose, yet prepare for our ultimate elimination as we launch our plans and create examples for others to use, we can never be defeated.

A few moments of silence passed before the room burst into a buzz of discussion. After several minutes, a consensus emerged:

al Qaeda would launch a continuous stream of bold attacks against enemies around the globe.

For security reasons, the Shura Council would disperse throughout the region, never again meeting as a body.

The Council would create plans for attacks by secure communications for as long as they were able to operate.

The effect of al Qaeda actions was to both do damage to enemies and provide the model for others to follow.

With agreement reached, even al-Yemeni was excited.

The approach proposed is simple yet complex, exposed yet hidden, seemingly weak but undefeatable, he offered. I’m overcome by confidence in our plan, he added.

Retaking control of the meeting, bin Laden asked again, What other ideas are there?

A rapid-fire stream of broad proposals came forth. The attacks were then sorted into types, either by delivery method or enemy target. A general timeline was developed for each proposed attack.

Assignments were then made for the development of more detailed plans for later presentation to the Shura Council for approval.

Mamdouh Mahmud Salim was given the assignment to develop plans for a nuclear weapon attack in America. The effort was to start with the acquisition of nuclear material from a friendly, convenient source.

Ayman al-Zawahiri was given the assignment to work out plans for exploding at least a dozen jumbo aircraft over the oceans on flights to and from the United States.

Ayman al-Zawahiri was also given the assignment to work out plans for attacking targets on the American east and west coasts using hijacked aircraft. For both assignments, he was to use Khalid Sheikh Mohammed who had already completed analysis of the options and execution strategy.

Mohammed Atef and Saif al-Adel were to work on a variety of attacks around the world including on embassies, ships and military bases of the Americans and their allies.

Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah and Abu Faraj al-Yemeni were given possibly the most ambitious assignment. They were to contact Ahmed Said Khadr, from Canada, to explore ways to disrupt the business processes and the money flows of the Western world.

al-Zawahiri had recently met Khadr at a Red Crescent hospital in Peshawar. al-Zawahiri noted that Khadr had great success in moving funds in support of the efforts of the movement and might be knowledgeable on potential vulnerabilities of the West.

With the assignments made, the Shura Council dispersed. They finished their first and only meeting with great enthusiasm and expectation.

Khak watched as the Council quickly left the home in small groups. bin Laden and al-Zawahiri walked toward the street and stepped into a car that appeared out of nowhere. They were gone in seconds with two men in the front seat who each had scornful looks.

Salim was next and went left on the street. Abdullah and al-Yemeni closely following but turned the opposite direction. All three were making their way to Khyber Road where they would hail Tuk Tuks and melt into the city.

After a few minutes Atef and al-Adel would leave, each taking an opposite direction down the street. They would reconnect at the International Airport taking separate flights to unknown destinations.

Khak was the last to depart. He left the thick envelope with the home owner as instructed by al-Adel then walked down the street to Khyber Road where he caught a Bling Bling commuter bus back to his hotel.

As he watched out the Bling Bling window at the passing sights and soaked in the smells of this busy city, the enormity of what Khak had just witnessed began to weigh on him. As he exited the Bling Bling near Khyber Bazaar he broke into a cold sweat out of awe and fear. This was indeed something very colossal, he said under his breath as he disappeared into the Bazaar.

2

Peshawar, Pakistan, February 26, 1989, 6:00 p.m.

The first meeting between Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, Abu Faraj al-Yemeni and Ahmed Said Khadr had been arranged by Ayman al-Zawahiri, one of the co-founders and leaders of al Qaeda. They met in a quiet back corner of the Marco Polo Dining Room in the Pearl Continental Hotel.

Al-Zawahiri had selected this location because he felt that the setting, the ambience and the opulence would be essential for the success of the meeting. He wanted the planners not to lose sight of the reasons that they fought as they did for the movement. He knew that all that this hotel represented would serve as very fitting motivation for accomplishing meaningful progress in the meeting.

The Pearl Continental in Peshawar was a beautiful structure, managed with precise attention to assuring the comfort and peacefulness of guests. It was situated between Peshawar’s only golf course and the historic Silk Route along Khyber Road. Without question a truly world-class hotel.

After crossing the palace-like lobby of the hotel, Khadr made his way to the Marco Polo Dining Room. He was led to a table in the back of the room where Abdullah and al-Yemeni were already seated.

The objectives of the group were clearly laid out by the al Qaeda Shura Council – to quickly develop a plan for disrupting the business processes and money flow of their enemies – and the three wasted no time getting to the business at hand. If the constrained behavior of Abdullah and al-Yemeni toward the hotel staff and the general aura of the hotel was any evidence, it was clear that the impact Ayman al-Zawahiri had desired was achieved.

Abdullah and al-Yemeni were also co-founders of al Qaeda and veterans of the Islamic struggle throughout the world. All that was around them in the hotel was exactly what they were fighting to destroy. The hotel was like a sharp point wedged deep in their sides. In spite of their feelings of disgust and revile they knew the importance of their mission and resolved themselves to push ahead.

They were both expert operations planners. Neither had detailed knowledge of or insight into the fundamentals of the Western business world. For this, al-Zawahiri strongly suggested using the expertise of Khadr.

Khadr had not before met either of the two other men he was to join. Of all the similar meetings occurring in response to the assignments from the Council, this one was one of the most defining meetings of the al Qaeda agenda. Of all the proposals considered by the Shura Council, this initiative was the only one not involving an act of physical terrorism.

Abdullah and al-Yemeni were on unfamiliar ground with this assignment. Each, however were the most creative thinkers on the Council and were quick to recognize the potential impact that this assignment could have on the progress of the movement.

Setting the stage for the discussions of the day, Abdullah offered his guidelines for undertaking the assignment.

Addressing himself to Khadr he said, We are to have you teach us of the Western business ways.

Abdullah continued, Much as we know how airlines work and the impact on our enemies when we bring havoc to the airline systems, we must also learn of the Western business ways. By learning more of their processes we will identify weaknesses and then be able to plan attacks that have the most devastating effects.

Khadr spoke nervously, I am honored to have been chosen for this work, but I do not know how to cause destruction and damage. My work is to help children and rebuild lives.

Al-Yemeni immediately thrust his face into that of Khadr and in a rage said quietly, Are you not a supporter of our movement? Are you sympathetic to our enemies? If you can’t help us then I will dispatch you personally right now!

He quickly glanced around the dining room to see if anyone was paying attention to their discussion. Satisfied that no one was the least bit interested in the ominous trio, he focused a wrathful stare at Khadr.

Frightened beyond breathing, Khadr struggled to respond. I am, of course, a soldier of the movement. I pray for nothing more than the complete and utter destruction of our enemies. I only say that I do not know how to make that happen given my limited knowledge of such things.

al-Yemeni was satisfied with Khadr’s response and gave a slight glance to Abdullah as a cue for him to jump in and calm things down.

Abdullah sensed al-Yemeni’s objective and quickly said to Khadr, You are as unfamiliar with the ways of destruction as we are with the Western business ways.

This is why we must learn from you, explained al-Yemeni. As we work together, you will learn of our expertise which will only help you better see the ways our project may be more effective. A spiral of thinking until we improve our aim to exactly hit the target.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Khadr slowly regained his composure. He had never before been so close to sure death. He had always feared being afraid. But after this encounter he no longer feared fear – he had survived. He was, surprising to himself, invigorated.

In a flash, the energy that was being consumed by his fear of fear was diverted to his ability to creatively think of ways to cripple the enemy. The rush was beyond imagination.

Almost without control he spat out, We have to concentrate on their computer systems.

The words hung in the air like the smell of gunpowder after a firefight. Somewhat startled by the outburst, Abdullah and al-Yemeni were slow to react.

Finally, al-Yemeni quietly asked, Computer systems? Which computer systems? And why?

There are so many. Let me think, said Khadr.

Why don’t you start by talking to us about their computer systems, said Abdullah. Give us some examples of what you mean.

There are systems that work in the back room as the Americans say, such as accounting systems. There are systems that facilitate electronic business, like airline reservations. These electronic business systems are being heavily invested in for the future. Then there is the backbone of the future in the Internet systems, offered Khadr.

So, if we can somehow attack those systems, which would cause the most damage? asked al-Yemeni.

The back room systems are the basis for all that happens, responded Khadr. But the Internet systems are the easiest to disrupt because the security is so lax, he added.

It sounds like the Internet systems are the future. If so, is there real value in disrupting them if Western business isn’t depending on them for conducting a lot of business? asked Abdullah.

Perhaps I don’t understand enough yet, added al Yemeni, but would there be value and a way of placing booby-traps or landmines in the Internet systems much like we do on the battlefront?

Khadr responded, Yes. Just last year something called the Morris Worm was released into the Internet from a college in America. It was a computer program intended to do good, but resulted in a very destructive shut down of some computers and systems on the Internet. Is that what you were thinking?

Yes exactly, said al Yemeni, without really knowing what Khadr was talking about. He only heard destructive shut down and that was enough to whet his appetite. Khadr, how do we make our own worm?

Before he could answer, Abdullah interrupted, This has been a very good first meeting and we should not try to do too much at this point in our planning. Let’s adjourn for now and keep thinking.

Khadr was thankful that he would have time to digest all that happened. As he got up to leave the dining room, he vowed that he would be well prepared for the next meeting.

After Khadr left the dining room, Abdullah and al-Yemeni took a few minutes to summarize their next steps.

al-Yemeni was frustrated at not being able to leave with a strategic plan. He was anxious to begin planning the tactics, but knew that the time was near for his real expertise to come into play.

I think that Khadr can be very useful to us, said Abdullah.

Yes, replied al-Yemeni. But I think I should also discuss options with Mohammed Atef. We must be very cautious about the need for the utmost security since we will be relying on people like Khadr when we haven’t seen them under fire.

Agreed, answered Abdullah, a very good thought. When do you intend to talk with Atef?

I can be ready for our next meeting with Khadr in three days, replied al-Yemeni.

Good, I will set up the next meeting with Khadr in not sooner than three days, said Abdullah.

As they went their separate ways from the Pearl Continental Hotel, Abdullah thought that he would also seek the counsel of another. He decided to contact bin Laden.

There were no Tuk Tuks at the hotel entrance so Abdullah walked about two blocks to a main intersection on the Khyber Road. He flagged down a Tuk Tuk for the short ride to his hotel back in the heart of the Peshawar.

A soon as he got into his room, Abdullah took out the scrambler device and followed the instructions he had taken with him from the meeting of the Shura Council two weeks ago. He called the designated phone number and went through the process of establishing communications with bin Laden.

It took a few minutes and some annoying discussions with three different men protecting bin Laden, but eventually bin Laden came on the line.

Thank you Emir, Abdullah offered, I will do as you suggest. It is most reassuring that you feel we are on the right path and have offered such sound advice.

With that, the line went dead. Abdullah ended his phone call and re-stowed the scrambler as instructed by Atef at the Shura Council. He settled down for the night with a great sense of accomplishment for the day’s work. He let the noises of the city lull him to sleep.

3

Peshawar, Pakistan, March 3, 1989, 10:00 a.m.

As Khadr arrived for the second meeting with Abdullah and al-Yemeni, he was very confident about his preparations. He had thought of a number of sound issues to discuss which, he was sure, would add immeasurably to the progress of their planning.

This time the meeting was held in the home of a sympathizer in Hayatabad a suburb of Peshawar to the southwest. Although the home was larger and more upscale than other typical homes in Peshawar, Abdullah and al-Yemeni felt more comfortable here than at the Pearl Continental Hotel.

Khadr felt most comfortable as he walked through the home into a back living room with a wall of doors that opened out into a small but pleasant and sunny back yard. He warmly greeted Abdullah and al-Yemeni. As he was about to take his seat in a rattan chair, he noticed a third figure standing in the corner of the room. He couldn’t yet make out the face through the shadows, but he was certain to recognize the automatic weapon slung from the shoulder of the figure.

Only after he nervously sat down did the figure approach the light. Immediately, a chill ran down the spine of Khadr. He instantly knew the man moving toward him. It was Mohammed Atef.

Why is he here? thought Khadr to himself, and with a gun? What have I done to deserve such treatment? These men are crazy beyond reason.

Atef spoke first. Ahmed Said Khadr it is such a pleasure to meet you. I have heard great things of your knowledge and commitment to the mission. Abdullah and al-Yemeni speak very highly of you.

Khadr’s head was spinning with relief. But he was still concerned about the presence of Atef. Surely he wasn’t here to just give compliments. What was his purpose?

Atef could see the concern in Khadr’s face. Just the reaction he desired. Although he didn’t sense fear from Khadr, he did see that Khadr was questioning what was happening. And, he maintained his composure – an excellent sign that this man was the right choice for this phase of the mission.

As Atef spoke, Khadr kept a keen focus on his words, although, he also kept his eyes on the weapon hanging from Atef’s shoulder.

"Khadr, this meeting will be crucial to the eventual success of the mission. I am here to assist in outlining the plans to assure that the correct security measures are in place at all