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Chronology: All time shown below are approximate Eastern Daylight Times. Friday, September 28, 2001 The
Investigation (CNN) Also today: Rev. Jesse Jackson said he was still considering, but leaning against going to Afghanistan. He said the Taliban would either choose to turn over Osama bin Laden or "choose world war."
4:10 pm - The Justice Department released a four-page letter found in the luggage of Mohamed Atta, 33, an Egyptian suspected of flying American Airlines Flight 11 into the World Trade Center. Attorney General Ashcroft described the letter, handwritten in Arabic as a "disturbing and shocking view into the mind-set of these terrorists." The letter was thought to represent "rules of engagement" for terrorists carrying out the Sept. 11 attacks. [See: FBI recovers letter belonging to 3 hijackers (CNN)] 12:40 pm - President Bush ruled out negotiating with Taliban leaders, demanding they turn over Osama bin Laden. Speaking of the Taliban, the president stated, "They heard what I said, now they can act.'' [See: Bush Rules Out Taliban Talks, Demands Bin Laden (Reuters)] Not Confirmed: 10:50 am - CNN reported that "senior U.S. defense officials" had stated some U.S. and British special forces teams had been active in Afghanistan since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. According to defense officials, the special forces operations were typical of those conducted in preparation for further military involvement, CNN reported. No further information on the movements or missions of the special forces teams were provided. This story had not been confirmed by the Department of Defense 10:40 am - CNN reported that the latest Pakistani effort to convince Afghanistan's Taliban government to turn Osama bin Laden over to international officials had failed. The Taliban also refused requests to release Western aid workers currently jailed for promoting Christianity in Afghanistan. [See: Pakistan presses Taliban (CNN)] 9:40 am - The Associated Press reported that a week after claiming they could not locate Osama bin Laden, Afghanistan's Taliban leaders said they had delivered a message to the terrorist leader asking him to leave their country voluntarily. The announcement marked the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. that the Taliban had admitted they were aware of bin Laden's whereabouts and were able to communicate with him. [See: Afghans Ask bin Laden to Leave (AP)] 8:30 am - Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia had agreed to allow the U.S. to launch air missions from its territory against Osama bin Laden and his forces in Afghanistan. The Washington Post had reported that the Saudis had agreed to allow attacks to be launched by U.S. aircraft currently stations at Prince Sultan Air Base. U.S. planes have been located at Prince Sultan since 1991 to monitor the no-fly zone in Iraq. [See: Saudi Will Allow Use of U.S. Bases - Saudi Source (Reuters)] 6:31 am - Appearing on BBC television's "Question Time" program, British European Minister Peter Hain stated that Osama bin Laden was planning more terrorists attacks. "There is evidence he is planning high-impact attacks in the world and we have got to make sure he doesn't do it again." Hain did not mention specific targets. [See: Britain Warns of Fresh Attacks Within Weeks (Reuters)] 5:30 am - Yet another delegation of Muslim clerics traveled to Afghanistan in an attempt to persuade the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden in order to prevent U.S. military strikes. "Several other of the clerics also have the status of a teacher in the eyes of the Taliban and carry a lot of respect," stated an official of the Islamic clerics. [See: Clerics Hold Afghan Talks, Commonwealth Summit Off (Reuters)] NOT Confirmed: 2:00 am - USA Today reported that U.S. special forces teams have been on the ground since Sept. 13, two days after the terrorist attacks on the United States, searching for Osama bin Laden. USA Today cited "unidentified senior U.S. and Pakistani officials," the U.S. teams had order to capture or kill bin Laden, or to "hold him down" until U.S. air strikes got under way. NOTE: This story had not been confirmed by the U.S. government at the time of this report [See: Report: U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan (Reuters)]
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