According to a CIA memorandum released on February 23, 1998, the day after bin Laden’s fatwa against the U.S.: ” ‘These fatwas are the first from these groups that explicitly justify attacks on American civilians anywhere in the world. Both groups [bin Laden and a coalition of Islamic groups in London] have hinted in the past that civilians are legitimate targets, but this [is] the first religious ruling sanctifying such attacks.’ ”
– Peter Bergen, The Osama bin Laden I Know, Page 196