9/11 Museum Program Looks Back on Osama bin Laden 1998 Interview

NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller speaks with Clifford Chanin, the executive vice president and deputy director for museum programs.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller speaks with 9/11 Memorial Senior Vice President of Education, Clifford Chanin at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Photo by Monica Graff.

The five-year anniversary of the successful completion of Operation Neptune Spear, the mission that resulted in Osama bin Laden's death on May 1, 2011, was marked by an evening program last night at the 9/11 Memorial Museum.  John Miller, who interviewed bin Laden for ABC News in 1998, recounted this historic interview.

Miller, now the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, remembered sitting in a cave with the then-leader of al Qaeda as he answered questions in Arabic, unaware that his answers were a declaration of war against the United States and Israel.

Weeks later al Qaeda started a chain of violence against U.S. targets and bombed the United States Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, killing 224 and injuring thousands.

On the morning of Sept. 11, Miller’s colleague Peter Jennings recalled this interview and remembered bin Laden’s warning, "we predict there will be a black day" for the United States.

Now, nearly 15 years after 9/11, Miller spoke about the changes in intelligence since, his work with the NYPD to thwart future attacks and the evolution of terrorism.

"Everyone is talking about ISIS," Miller said, "You and me right here in this room, we’re the only ones talking about al Qaeda."Please enable Javascript to watch this video

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Previous Post

The Lens: Capturing Life and Events at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

A homemade sign displayed at the Museum counts the number of days since 9/11. The sign also reads, “Where is Osama bin Laden?” A handwritten not taped next to the question reads, “Dead.”

The Lens: Capturing Life and Events at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a photography series devoted to documenting moments big and small that unfold at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

View Blog Post

Next Post

FDNY Sons Honor Lost Firefighter Fathers

A split image shows firefighter Frank Palombo, who died on 9/11, and his son Thomas Palombo, who is also an FDNY firefighter.

Two firefighters are honoring the legacy of their fathers who died in the line of duty just months apart, according to the New York Daily News.

View Blog Post
View All Blog Posts