According to a recently declassified top secret Counterterrorist Center Commentary on January 6, 1997, “[Redacted] agents of Usama Bin Ladin purchased a container of uranium [redacted] but [redacted] bogus nuclear material [redacted] efforts by Bin Laden suggests he is taking steps to develop the capability to use weapons of mass destruction (WMD)–possibly involving chemical agents and biological toxins as well as nuclear material–for terrorist operations, or may plan to give these substances to supporters.
– CIA, “Terrorism: Usama Bin Ladin Trying to Develop WMD Capability,” (Counterterrorist Center Commentary), The Central Intelligence Agency’s 9/11 File:, The National Security Archive, Jan. 6, 1997