Five men charged with plotting the Sept 11 attacks told a military judge yesterday that they want to immediately confess at their war-crimes tribunal at Guantanamo Bay.

In a letter the judge read aloud in court, the five defendants - who could be executed if convicted - said they "request an immediate hearing session to announce our confessions."

The letter implies they want to plead guilty, but does not specify whether they will admit to any specific charges. It also says they wish to drop all previous defense motions.