(2006-1985-F) Usama bin Laden and Executive Order 12333

The materials in FOIA 2006-1985-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. After the August 7, 1998 terrorist attacks on the American Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, the focus of American anti-terrorism energy shifted to wealthy al Qaeda founder Usama bin Ladin, who had issued a fatwa declaring war on the United States. On August 20, President Clinton ordered Operation Infinite Reach, a series of airstrikes against al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan and Sudan, telling the American people, “Our target was terror; our mission was clear: to strike at the network of radical groups affiliated with and funded by Usama bin Ladin, perhaps the preeminent organizer and financer of terrorism in the world today.” That same day, the President prohibited any transactions with Usama bin Ladin’s companies in Executive Order 13099. The FBI placed bin Ladin on their Most Wanted List and offered a reward of $5 million for information regarding his whereabouts. In November 1998, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York indicted bin Ladin for his terrorist activities. Throughout the remainder of the Clinton Administration, the United States continued to search for the terrorist, who enjoyed the protection of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Neither diplomacy nor sanctions could persuade the Taliban to allow bin Ladin’s capture. The search for bin Ladin continued through the administration of President George W. Bush and the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan. In May 2011, under the order of President Barack Obama, a team of U.S. Navy SEALS killed bin Ladin at a compound in Abbattobad, Pakistan. The 1998 embassy bombings were the event that made the name Usama bin Ladin familiar to the American public. In the aftermath of the attacks, encouraged perhaps by numerous speculative stories in the international press, many questioned whether the Clinton Administration should repeal or reconsider the prohibition on assassination contained in Executive Order 12333 (signed December 4, 1981). The administration responded that the prohibition would remain, but did defend the use of force against terrorist infrastructure. Textual records responsive to this FOIA request may be found in FOIA 2006-0228-F. Further records on the August 1998 air strikes are located in FOIA 2007-1596-F. Records processed in response to this request are located in the NSC Cables and Emails. The released documents consist primarily of press materials regarding Operation Infinite Reach, Usama bin Ladin, terrorism, and the assassination prohibition. The emails also include transcripts of the President’s statements on August 20, 1998 and his weekly radio address on August 22, 1998. Many of the records related to this FOIA are closed for national security reasons.