“On December 20 [1998], intelligence indicated Bin Ladin would be spending the night at the Haji Habash house, part of the governor’s residence in Kandahar [Afghanistan].” As a response, the Bin Ladin unit of the CIA held “an urgent teleconference of principals.” Though a cruise missile strike was considered, the accuracy of the initial report was questioned, and there was also a great risk of collateral damage. “By the end of the meeting, the principals decided against recommending to the President [Bill Clinton] that he order a strike.”
– 9/11 Commission, The 9/11 Commission Report, Pages 130-131