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Thomas H. Kean October 24, 2003

CHAIR

Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
The Honorable Robert S. Mueller III
Richard Ben-Veniste Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Max Cleland
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Frederick F. Fielding Washington, DC 20535-0001
Jamie S. Gorelick Dear Director Mueller:
Slade Gorton
As you know, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United
John F. Lehman States (better known as the 9-11 Commission) is directed by statute to prepare a
Timothy J. Roemer full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11,
2001 terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate
James R. Thompson response to, the attacks. The Commission is also chartered to identify and
evaluate lessons learned and provide recommendations to prevent future acts of
Philip D. Zelikow terrorism upon our nation.
EX ~ J JTIVE DIRECTOR

Public Law 107-306 authorizes the Commission to secure needed information

directly from any agency. Thus far, with your strong support and extensive
assistance from the Bureau, the Commission has compiled a 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 12, 2004.

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

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation's role in formulating and implementing

the USG's overall counterterrorism policy from during your tenure. This
includes the Bureau's participation in Principals', Deputies', and
Counterterrorism Security Group (CSG) meetings.

• The FBI's structure, management, and priorities with respect to combating

international terrorist organizations, especially al Qaeda.

• The state of the FBI's awareness of and reaction to the growing threat from
militant Islamic organizations, particularly al Qaeda, before and after
September 11,2001.
301 7 lh Street SW, Room 5125
Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-llcommission.gov
The Honorable Robert S. Mueller III
October 24, 2003
Page 2

• The evolution of relevant legal authorities and guidance regarding the FBI's
counterterrorism activities, including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Act, the Attorney General's Guidelines, the USA PATRIOT Act, and the
balance between security and the protection of civil liberties.

• The FBI's role in the intelligence community, in particular its role in the
collection, analysis, and distribution of intelligence relating to foreign terrorist
organizations, including the role of the Office of Intelligence and TTIC.

• The FBI's relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency, with particular
emphasis on information sharing.

• The Department of Justice's role in setting the FBI's priorities, including its
structure, management, and resources with respect to combating international
terrorist organizations, especially al Qaeda.

• The FBI's information technology infrastructure and ongoing modernization

efforts.

• The evolution of the organizational structure of the FBI's Counterterrorism

Division including, but not limited to, the role of analysts, information
sharing, and the relationship of Headquarters to Field Offices.

• The FBI's role abroad, including its relationship with other USG entities and
foreign government entities and the role of the Legal Attaches.

• The ramifications and advisability of separating the domestic intelligence

functions of the FBI from its law enforcement functions.

• The FBI's role in immigration and border security-related law enforcement

efforts relating to counterterrorism, in watchlisting terrorists with border
security agencies, and in conducting name checks for border security
agencies.

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 February 11, 2004. You will receive a
The Honorable Robert S. Mueller III
October 24, 2003
Page 3

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

Patrick O'Brien, Federal Bureau of Investigation