linked - Investigating the Terror

)—O2a (Rev. 11—15—83)
:ontlnuatlon of FD-302 of ABDUL BASIT MAHNOUD ABDUL KARIM 2/72/8/9 5, Page 18
He was then questioned as to certain materials found in
the Manila apartment which appeared to refer to U.S. airline
flights, particularly UNITED AIRLINES' flights. BASIT was asked
why UNITED AIRLINE appeared to be the main target; he replied
that UNITED AIRLINES was the largest U.S. carrier in that area,
and so had the most flights.
BASIT advised that the list of flight information
contained on the computer was a list of possible bombing targets,
but that not all flights listed would have been definite targets.
He noted that, if the incident at the Manila apartment
had not occurred, there would have been several airline bombings
within two weeks of that time.
BASIT was asked whether he knew of any plans for future'
airline bombings, or any plans for other types of terrorist
attacks. He replied, that he did not know of any specific plans
for any such attacks, but did add that there were many committed
people in the world with sufficient knowledge to carry out
attacks against U.S. targets. He related that while in Manila, a
total of four people, including himself, were involved in the
U.S. airline bombing plot, and that he had personally trained the
others, and knew them to be still capable of carrying out such a
plot. He would not further describe or identify the other
individuals involved in the bombing scheme.
BASIT asked he irterviewing Agents whether the Agents
knew how the person who had been arrested in the Phiiippines, and
who had subsequently escaped, had effected that escape. When the
Agents replied that they did not have details of the escape,
BASIT described the individual who escaped as being strong,
intelligent and resourceful, and further stated that he doubted
that this individual would have had to bribe anyone to effect his
escape.
In discussing the individual who has escaped from
Philippine custody, BASIT acknowledged that this individual was
known as WALl SHAH. Following BASIT's descriptions of WALl as
strong and intelligent, BASIT was questioned as to whether BASIT
had been acting under the direction of WALl SHAH. BASIT would
not further elaborate on that issue.