Wikileaks posts 9/11 texts

A new perspective on 9/11?

Wikileaks, a website that allows people to anonymously post documents on the web, has published what it claims to be 573,000 intercepted pager and text messages sent on 9/11.

The website, created in 2006 by dissidents, journalists, mathematicians and technologists from the US, Taiwan, Europe, Australia and South Africa, does not reveal who sent the messages, but indicates that some are from federal agencies as well as citizens.

The messages revealed the panic felt by millions as they try to contact loved ones and establish what was occurring on that tragic day.

Real time release of messages

The messages are being released by Wikileaks over a 24-hour period, broadcasting each message at the time it was originally sent in 2001. For example, the first message was from 0300 local time, five hours before the first attack in New York and the last 24 hours later. They are also being released simultaneously on Wikileaks and social networking site Twitter.

As some messages are from before the attacks began, they are mundane in their content however, once the attacks begun, the messages become much more frantic as people scramble to find family members, news of what is happening and how the government is reacting.

"The only thoughts I have are of Nicholas, Ian and you," read one text message. "I am terrified. I needed to tell you that I truly love you. always, diane."

"Please call my work as soon as you get in the office. Need to know you're safe," another says.

"Wondering where you are. Are you okay. Give me a call back asap. I just need to know these things. Even if it's collect. Call me. Darryl"

The confusion surrounding that day is also revealed, as many report a 'bomb detonation' occurring at the World Trade Centre and people are asked to send assessments of the damage.

Another message reads; "Bomb detonated in World Trade Ctr. Pls get back to Mike Brady w/a quick assessment of your areas and contact us if anything is needed"

Genuine?

While internet analysts say they believe the messages are genuine, federal authorities including New York's Fire and Police departments have refused to comment on the messages' authenticity. The same goes for the US Secret Service. One thing that has troubled people is how the messages were intercepted.

Wikileaks spokesman Daniel Schmitt said to AP, "From the context information that the source provided we have strong reasons to believe that this is valid data.

"I fully understand that this is very emotional material, but this does not mean that this is not part of our historic record. And from the publishing perspective of the Wikileaks perspective, that is what counts.

"We are helping to maintain an uncensorable part of this day's record in more detail than has ever been provided before."

A total of 2,976 people, not including the hijackers, were killed in the 9/11 attacks.

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