Dm B4 Interview Requests Fdr- Entire Contents- 2-26-04 Letter To Paul O-neill- Interview Request 328

Thomas H. Kean CHAIR

February 26, 2004

Lee H. Hamilton

Jamie S. Gorelick

The Honorable Paul H. O'Neill Chief Executive Officer Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative 650 Smithfield Street Centre City Tower, Suite 2150 Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Slade Gorton

Dear Secretary O'Neill:

VICE CHAIR

Richard Ben-Veniste Fred F. Fielding

Bob Kerrey John F. Lehman Timothy J. Roemer James R. Thompson

Philip D. Zelikow EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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 full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate response 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 nation. Interviews with former senior officials are essential to developing an authoritative narrative of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Your perspective is vital to the Commission's work, and we are therefore writing to request an interview with you in Washington, DC, during the week of March 15, 2004. The Commission wishes to discuss a wide range of topics with you, including (but not limited to) yourjlescription, analysis, and assessment of: •

The Treasury Department's response to the 9-11 attacks, including your own actions, advice and decisions in the aftermath of the attacks;

•

Your role in the closure and reopening of the financial markets;

•

USG efforts to counter terrorist financing;

•

The issues discussed and decisions taken at the September 4, 2001 Principals Committee (PC) meeting on al Qaeda; and

•

Any other PC or NSC meetings on al Qaeda or other conversations with principals on al Qaeda from the time you were nominated as Secretary of the Treasury until September 20,2001. This would include discussions during the September 15-16,2001 meetings at Camp David on possible responses to the attacks on the United States, including discussion of Iraq as a possible target.

301 7th Street SW, Room 5125 Washington, DC 20407 T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545 www.9-llcommission.gov

26 Federal Plaza Suite 13-100 New York, NY 10278 T 212.264.1505 F 212.264.1595

The Honorable Paul H. O'Neill February 26, 2004 Page 2 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 Lisa Sullivan at (202) 401-1770 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 Chair

Lee H. Hamilton Vice Chair