Thomas H.

Kean October 20, 2003

CHAIR

Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
Mr. James B. Steinberg
Richard Ben-Veniste Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy Studies
The Brookings Institution
Max Cleland
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Frederick F. Fielding Washington, DC 20036
Jamie S. Gorelick Dear Mr. Steinberg:
Slade Gorton
The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (better
John F. Lehman known as the 9-11 Commission) is directed by statute to prepare a full and
Timothy J. Roemer complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001
terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate response
James R. Thompson to, the attacks. The Commission is also chartered to identify and evaluate lessons
learned and provide recommendations to prevent future acts of terrorism upon our
Philip D. Zelikow nation.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Interviews with former senior policymakers are essential to developing an

authoritative narrative of the September 11, 2001 attacks. As the former Deputy
National Security Adviser, your perspective is vital to the Commission's
collective understanding of 9-11, and we are therefore writing to request an
interview with you during the week of December 14, 2003.

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

• The NSC role in U.S. counterterrorism policy from January 1998 until the end
of the Clinton administration, including relevant Deputies' Committee
meetings and the drafting of terrorism-related PDDs. This should include,
inter alia, your views on the effectiveness of U.S. counterterrorism policy.

• U.S. counterterrorism efforts related to the 1998 East Africa embassy

bombings, including a discussion of both the process whereby responses were
chosen and your views on their effectiveness.

• U.S. counterterrorism policy in general, with a particular emphasis on ongoing

U.S. efforts to handle the al Qaeda threat, including intelligence, covert
actions, and related legal authorities; military options considered; U.S.
diplomacy, especially with Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan; terrorist
financing; the use of UAVs; and the effectiveness of the interagency process
on counterterrorism issues.
301 7th Street SW, Room 5125
Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-llcommission.gov
Mr. James B. Steinberg
October 20, 2003
Page 2

• Discussions of possible al Qaeda attacks on U.S. soil during your tenure and
responses either taken or considered.

• U.S. counterterrorism efforts related to the Millennium plots, including after-

action review.

• U.S. counterterrorism efforts related to the 2000 attack on the U.S.S. Cole,
including responses considered and the handling of the Cole issue during the
transition period.

• Steps taken relating to U.S. visa, immigration, and border controls and related
bilateral and multilateral discussions.

• The handling of counterterrorism issues during the Clinton-Bush transition

period, including a detailed discussion of briefings given and
recommendations offered.

You may wish to review notes and other materials you may have to refresh your
recollection of these matters prior to the interview.

We are, of course, interested in any other issues you deem important to the
Commission's understanding of 9-11 specifically and counterterrorism policy
generally, as well as your thoughts on policy recommendations for the future.
The Commission anticipates that classified information will be discussed at this
private session, requiring that the interview take place at the Commission's 2100
K Street, NW, location. Members of the Commission may attend, but the
interview will be conducted by Commission staff. It is the general policy of the
Commission to record interviews.

Please have a member of your staff contact Daniel Leopold at (202) 331-4064 to
indicate your availability for such an interview 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