On August 8, 1998, CIA Director George “Tenet brought to a principals meeting intelligence that terrorist leaders were expected to gather at a camp near Khowst, Afghanistan to plan future attacks. According to [national security advisor Sandy] Berger, Tenet said that several hundred would attend, including Bin Ladin. The CIA described the area as effectively a military cantonment, away from civilian population centers and overwhelmingly populated by jihadists…The pentagon briefed President [Bill] Clinton about these plans on August 12 and 14. The principals quickly reached a consensus on attacking the gathering. The strike’s purpose was to kill Bin Ladin and his chief lieutenants…Though the principals hoped that the missiles would hit Bin Ladin, NSC [National Security Council] staff recommended the strike whether or not there was firm evidence that the commanders were at the facilities.”
– 9/11 Commission, The 9/11 Commission Report, Page 116