Sie sind auf Seite 1von 3

WITHDRAWAL NOTICE

RG: 148
Box: 00001 Folder: 0002 Document: 19
Series: Front Office Files

Copies: 1 Pages: 73

ACCESS RESTRICTED

The item identified below has been withdrawn from this file:

Folder Title: Team 5 ... Presentation to Commissioners


Document Date: 05-11-2004
Document Type: Briefing Paper
From:
To:

Subject: Team 5 ... Presentation to Commissioners

In the review of this file this item was removed because access to it is
restricted. Restrictions on records in the National Archives are stated in
general and specific record group restriction statements which are available
for examination.

NND: 241
Withdrawn: 03-05-2008 by:

RETRIEVAL*: 241 00001 0002 19


NATIONAL COMMISSION ON
TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES
Minutes of the March 30, 2004 Meeting

The Chair called the Commission to order at 9:10 a.m. The Chair, Vice Chair, and
Commissioners Ben-Veniste, Gorelick, Gorton, Kerrey, Lehman, Roemer, and Thompson
were in attendance.

Letter from Judge Gonzales. The Chair and Vice Chair distributed a letter from White
House Counsel Alberto Gonzales. The letter indicated that the White House would permit
sworn public testimony from National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice before the
Commission as well as a joint meeting between the President, Vice President, the full
Commission (with one staffer taking notes).

The letter stated that the Commission would have to refrain from requesting the public
testimony of any other White House officials at future hearings. The Commission, he
added, would also have issue a strong statement that the Commission is unique and that
the public appearance of the National Security Adviser did not set a precedent.

The Vice Chair stated that the length of the meeting with the President and Vice
President had not been decided, adding that they were flexible—not just an hour but not a
half-day. He said that he expected the meeting to last two hours, and that it would be a
one shot deal. He described the letter as remarkable, noting that it underscored the
Administration's desire to wrap up negotiations with the Commission. The Chair said
that this was total victory for the Commission, and that it should make a gracious reply.

Commissioner Roemer asked about the permissibility of an additional private meeting


with Dr. Rice. The Chair stated that the issue was not foreclosed. Commissioner Gorelick
suggested that this meeting be scheduled before the meeting with the President and Vice
President.

Commissioner Kerrey stated that it was important to create a context at the hearing so
that it is not just about Dr. Rice. Commissioner Roemer agreed and suggested that the
staff issue another statement in some way. Commissioner Gorton urged the Commission
to hold a separate hearing for Dr. Rice apart from any other scheduled hearing because
her appearance would dominate the news and overshadow other important matters.
Commissioner Ben-Veniste disagreed and suggested that she appear at the Commission's
next hearing. Commissioner Thompson said that the staff should recommend the date.

Commissioner Lehman moved to accept the terms outlined in the letter. Commissioner
Roemer seconded the motion. The Commission agreed by unanimous consent.

The Commission agreed to issue a joint statement accepting the offer. The Chair and
Vice Chair agreed to appear at a press briefing that afternoon.

COMMISSION SENSITIVE
COMMISSION SENSITIVE

FBI Presentation. FBI Director Robert Mueller, joined by Executive Assistant Director
for Intelligence Maureen Baginski and Executive Assistant Director for Counterterrorism
and Counterintelligence John Pistole, gave a presentation to Commission on what the FBI
has done, and its vision for the future. He distributed a draft report to the Commission,
entitled The FBI's Counterterrorism Program Since September 2001. He outlined a
seven-point plan, consisting of prioritization, mobilization, centralization, intelligence
integration, coordination, information technology, and administrative reform. Subsequent
discussion focused on integration of foreign and domestic intelligence and how gaps in
collection and analysis are addressed.

Team 7 Presentation. Team 7 (Bill Johnstone, John Raidt, and Gerald Dillingham)
presented of their monograph, emphasizing their proposed recommendations. They
sought direction from Commissioners to guide their work, especially on
recommendations.

Final Report. The Executive Director distributed a proposed outline for a 16-chapter
final report.

Senior Adviser Ernest May highlighted some of the main themes in the opening chapters.
He said that first chapter would give American readers a perspective on Islamic
fundamentalism over a period of time and explain the American experience with
terrorism. He stated that the report needs to answer, easily and economically, the
question: "Why do they hate us?" The Vice Chair agreed. He added observed that the
American people want to know who the enemy is and the nature of the threat we're
confronting for the next 10-15 years.

Commissioner Roemer suggested that they reintroduce the definition of the threat in
Chapter 10, so that there is not a disconnect between the report's findings and
recommendations. Commissioner Gorelick suggested that Chapter 10 is
disproportionately small when considering the amount of ground it will have to cover.

The Vice Chair stated that the report would also have to address to what extent U.S.
policies contributed to the rise of terrorism, i.e. U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia.
Commissioner Gorton urged caution in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the Chair
said that the report would have to address it somehow since Bin Ladin'sfatwa mentions
the conflict.

The Vice Chair observed that the greatest challenge with the final report will be
simplicity and harmonization.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:00 p.m. The Chair and Vice Chair proceeded
to a press briefing at the Wilson Center.

COMMISSION SENSITIVE

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen