Bumbling Terrorist Favored by bin Laden?

May 28, 2006 -- -- Zacarias Moussaoui was an al Qaeda operative who had numerous problems within the terrorist organization but was supported by Osama bin Laden despite numerous concerns of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, according to testimony Monday at his death penalty trial.

Monday afternoon, the jury heard a summary witness report from information that was provided by Shaikh Mohammed. The summary witness substitution was read to the jury since Shaikh Mohammed is in detention and not able to appear in court.

The report, which was agreed to by both the defense and the prosecutor, was filled with additional details about Shaikh Mohammed's planning for the 9/11 attacks, which included the revelation that 34 men knew about the 9/11 or "planes operation" before the strikes.

According to statements provided to interrogators, Shaikh Mohammed acknowledged that Moussaoui was to be part of a second wave of attacks after the initial 9/11 operation. "Moussaoui was recruited as part of a second wave of attacks," a member of the federal public defender read to the jury.

Moussaoui, during his nearly three hours of testimony, detailed how he had "personality problems," with al Qaeda members. According to the report, Shaikh Mohammed said Moussaoui had "a problematic personality" and was "a problem from the start."

The report from Shaikh Mohammed contradicted testimony provided by Moussaoui earlier Monday that he was to fly a plane into the White House as part of the 9/11 operation.

According to the statement, Shaikh Mohammed said that the original 9/11 plan called for the use of Arab operatives and the second wave of attacks was to include al Qaeda members with French, Malaysian and Canadian passports so they would draw less scrutiny.

Potential targets for the second wave of attacks included the tallest building in California and potentially the Sears Tower, as well as a subway attack and a strike against a nuclear power plant.

Shaikh Mohammed said planning for the second wave was difficult because he was surprised by the security response of the U.S. officials after the attacks.