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Reno, Freeh critical of Saudi bombing probe
January 23, 1997
Web posted at: 7:45 p.m. EST (0045 GMT)In this story:
- 'Some very important information'
- FBI leading investigation
- Other troubles with Saudis
- Related stories and sites
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The top two law enforcement officials in the United States have launched a public assault on Saudi Arabia for withholding information in the truck bombing at a U.S. military housing complex in Dhahran.
The June blast killed 19 American airmen, but no suspects have been arrested.
Attorney General Janet Reno and FBI director Louis Freeh say that since the bombing, U.S. investigative efforts have been rebuffed -- Saudi officials keeping federal agents outside the inner circle of information.
'Some very important information'
Reno announced at a weekly news conference Thursday that Saudi Arabia has failed to turn over "some very important information" about the bombing.
"I am hopeful that we will be able to address these issues and obtain this information so that appropriate steps can be taken," Reno said. (12 sec 134K AIFF or WAV sound)
The remarks back comments from Freeh, who gave the Washington Post a similar scenario on Wednesday.
"We have not gotten everything which we have asked for, and sure, that has affected our ability to make findings or conclusions, or to channel the investigation in different directions," Freeh said.
Neither Reno nor Freeh disclosed the exact details of information being sought, but there are reports Saudi officials have detained some 40 suspects that U.S. investigators have yet to question.
The Saudi Embassy had no immediate response to the accusations.
FBI leading investigation
State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns answered questions on the issue Thursday afternoon, particularly the assumption that the FBI might be having trouble because it's dealing with another country.
" ... the authority is with the FBI .. "
-- Nicholas Burns
"I want to be clear about where the authority is here in the U.S. government," said Burns. "It's with the FBI, as the lead agency, and the State Department is supportive. But our ambassador and his embassy officials are very active" in communicating with the Saudi government.
Freeh has made three trips to Saudi Arabia to ask for more information, the last one in November. But earlier he had pulled out all but a few of the 70 agents assigned to the case because they weren't being allowed to participate in the investigation.
Other troubles with Saudis
This is not the first trouble the U.S. has had with Saudi officials during an investigation. In late 1995, the Saudis obtained four confessions from suspects in the car bombing that killed five Americans and two Indians. But before the FBI could question them, the Saudis beheaded the men.
Pentagon spokesman Ken Burns made it clear the U.S. just wants a quick resolution.
"We consider cooperation to be very important. We need to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible," he said.
Burns would not comment, however, on reports that Saudis have uncovered an Iran-backed plan to carry out the bombing.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Special section:
Related stories:
- Europe grows more uneasy with Iran - December 24, 1996
- Iran again denies involvement in Khobar bombing - December 23, 1996
- Saudis allege Iran behind bombing - December 12, 1996
- Source: No Air Force punishment expected in Khobar bombing - December 11, 1996
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