Thomas H.

Kean October 20, 2003

CHAIR

Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
The Honorable Colin L. Powell
Richard Ben-Veniste Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Max Cleland
Washington, DC 20520
Frederick F. Fielding
Dear Secretary Powell:
Jamie S. Gorelick

Slade Gorton As you know, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United
States (better known as the 9-11 Commission) is directed by statute to prepare a
John F. Lehman full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11,
Timothy J. Roemer
2001 terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate
response to, the attacks. The Commission is also chartered to identify and
James R. Thompson evaluate lessons learned and provide recommendations to prevent future acts of
terrorism upon our nation.
Philip D. Zelikovv
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Public Law 107-306 authorizes the Commission to secure needed information
directly from any agency. Thus far, with the strong support of you and your
Department, the Commission has compiled an extensive written record numbering
more than 2 million pages. Building on this record, meetings with senior
policymakers are essential to developing an authoritative narrative of the
September 11, 2001 attacks. Your perspective is vital to the Commission's
understanding of 9-11 and its immediate aftermath, and we are therefore writing
to request a meeting with you during the week of January 18, 2004.

The Commission wishes to discuss a wide range of topics with you, including (but
not limited to) your description, analysis, and assessment of:

• USG efforts to combat terrorist organizations, especially al Qaeda, from

January 20, 2001 to September 20, 2001. This includes the State
Department's overall role as well as your participation in relevant Principals'
Committee meetings. It should also include, inter alia, your views of the
effectiveness of U.S. counterterrorism policy.

• The State Department's counterterrorism policy in general with a particular

emphasis on diplomatic instruments considered and used to combat terrorism,
from January 20, 2001 to September 20, 2001. This would include U.S.
pressure on Pakistan and the Taliban to address the al Qaeda presence in
Afghanistan.

301 7th Street SW, Room 5125

Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-11 commission.gov
The Honorable Colin L. Powell
October 20, 2003
Page 2

• The State Department's diplomatic relations with other countries (especially

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan) in connection with terrorism,
from January 20, 2001 to September 20, 2001. This would include your
meetings and communications with officials from such countries in
connection with counterterrrorism.

• The role of, and your interaction with, the Office of the Coordinator for
Counterterrorism both before and after the September 11 attacks.

• The State Department's recommended responses to the U.S.S. Cole bombing.

• The State Department's visa issuance policy and practice in the context of
Counterterrorism.

• The Clinton-Bush transition period as it related to Counterterrorism policy.

This includes all Counterterrorism briefings you received during that period.

You may wish to review notes and other documents to refresh your recollection of
these matters prior to the meeting.

We are, of course, interested in any other issues you deem relevant to the
Commission's understanding of 9-11 specifically and Counterterrorism policy
generally, as well as your thoughts on policy recommendations for the future.
Members of the Commission and select staff will attend, and it is the general policy
of the Commission to record such meetings.

This proposed meeting is separate from your requested participation in a public

hearing to be held in Washington, DC, on March 24, 2004. You will receive a
separate invitation to testify in the coming weeks, and we hope that you will agree
to appear before the Commission for this important public forum.

Please have a member of your staff contact Daniel Leopold at (202) 331-4064 to
indicate your availability for such a meeting and to relay any questions you or
your staff may have. Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation with
the Commission and its staff in this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Thomas H. Kean Lee H. Hamilton

Chair Vice Chair

cc: Daniel Levin, U.S. Department of Justice

Karl W. Hofrnann, Executive Secretary