9/11 Commission Questions For Kenneth Pollack

Unclassified - Internal Commission Use Only

Questions for Dr. Kenneth Pollack

Unclassified - Internal Commission Use Only

Unclassified - Internal Commission Use Only I. Overall Importance of Terrorism A. Was terrorism considered part of your portfolio? B. When did Bin Ladin and al-Qa'ida first appear on your radar screen? C. How were events such as the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing or the 2000 attack on USS Cole managed? D. How were regional priorities weighed with terrorism concerns? II. Saudi Arabia (overall) A. How close was the U.S.-Saudi relationship during your time in government? B. What benefits did the Saudis derive from ties to the United States? C. What benefits does/did the United States derive (for Iraq, Middle East peace, oil prices, overall voice of moderation, etc.)? 1. How would your prioritize these? D. Did the United States have a "Saudi policy"? 1. If so: a) What were our goals? b) Who prioritized? 2. If not: a) Why not? b) Should we have one? 3. Who "played" in formulating policy toward Saudi Arabia? 4. Did the FBI, particularly Director Freeh, make Saudi policy? E. Critics have claimed that HRH Prince Bandar bin Sultan "runs" U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia 1. Can you describe his access? 2. Did his stance on counterterrorism change during the 1990s? Unclassified - Internal Commission Use Only

Unclassified - Internal Commission Use Only 3. Is his access a problem? III. Saudi Arabia and Terrorism A. Could you give your impression of the Saudi regime's support for radical Islamist activities 1. What kind of radicalism? a. For groups using violence? b. For anti-Israel causes? c. For Afghanistan and Pakistan? 2. What kind of support was provided? a. By government? b. By private individuals? 2. Was Saudi support for radicalism seen as a problem? 3. How serious was the threat? 4. How closely did we follow this? 5. Should Saudi Arabia be considered a sponsor of terrorism?

Unclassified - Internal Commission Use Only

Unclassified - Internal Commission Use Only B. What was the Al Saud doing to stop al-Qa'ida? 1. Efforts with Sudan, including supposed efforts to expel Bin Ladin in 1996? Did we press the Saudis on this? 2. Efforts in Afghanistan? 3. Did you try to press the regime on intelligence sharing and access to information about Saudi nationals? C. What did the United States do to try to encourage Saudi support? 1. Specific initiatives? a) Describe? b) Any success? 2. Common problems? 3. High level involvement D. Did we ever consider punishments or withholding support? IV. Problems today A. What problems in the U.S.-Saudi relations have not been fixed in your judgment? B. What recommendations would you make to fix them?

Unclassified - Internal Commission Use Only