complete operational plan until Atta had everything finalized in August 2001. Sheikh Mohammed received this information through Bin al-Shibh.
55. In the 9/11 attacks...five of the operatives - Atta, Jarrah, al-Shehhi, Hanjour and Nawaf al-Hazmi - conducted the needed surveillance and preparation, such as purchasing and coordinating tickets. The other 14 operatives were kept separate from that and were only involved in the operation as late as possible in the process.
56. Sheikh Mohammed stated that he was usually compelled to do whatever Bin Laden wanted with respect to operatives for the September 11 operation. That said, Sheikh Mohammed noted that he disobeyed Bin Laden on several occasions by taking operatives assigned to him by Bin Laden and using them how he best saw fit.
Ramzi Bin al-Shibh and Mustafa Ahmed al-Hawsawi
57. Ramzi Bin al-Shibh...was a member of the German cell that included 9/11 pilot/hijackers Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi, and Ziad Jarrah. Bin al-Shibh was supposed to travel to the U.S. to become a pilot, but was unable to obtain a U.S. visa, despite three attempts.
58. Bin al-Shibh was the primary communications link with the 9/11 operatives.
