http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/KUP310C.html

Sorry it was Bill Clinton's admin that had the first chance in the 90's and let him go

In his landmark article, Chaim Kupferberg exposes the series of contradictions, coincidences, and anomalies which put the lie to the Official 9/11 Legend. Here, Kupferberg examines the crucial time period in 1995 when the major structural pivots in the 9/11 Legend were indelibly set in place - the February 1995 capture of the first World Trade Center bomber, followed two months later by the Oklahoma City bombing in April, and followed several months after by the November attack which heralded bin Laden's first public notice as America's foremost nemesis.

Opportunities for Bin Laden's capture go way back, but as you may have suggested he was saved for a greater need and purpose.