Bush Seeks Probe of Saudi Linked to 9/11By SCOTT LINDLAW
The Associated Press
Tuesday, July 29, 2003; 6:47 PM
WASHINGTON - President Bush refused on Tuesday to release a congressional report alleging possible links between Saudi Arabian officials and the Sept. 11 hijackers. The White House sought to question a Saudi citizen who befriended two of the hijackers.
Bush said he could not comply with a request by the Saudi foreign minister for a chance to clear the Arab kingdom's name because publication of the report could hurt U.S. intelligence operations.
The foreign minister, Saud al-Faisal, said he was disappointed but understood.
After the White House meeting, Saud spoke for about an hour with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice. He said later she told him U.S. authorities want to question Omar Bayoumi, an employee of the Saudi aviation authority who befriended two of the Saudi hijackers on their arrival in California.