Sk B9 Tier A-b Interviews 1 Of 2 Fdr- Falkenrath Interview Request 184

Thomas H. Kean CHAIR Lee H. Hamilton VICE CHAIR Richard Ben-Veniste Max Cleland Frederick F. Fielding Jamie S. Gorelick

October 27, 2003 The Honorable Richard A. Falkenrath Deputy Assistant to the President Homeland Security Council 1650 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20502-0001 Dear Dr. Falkenrath:

Slade Gorton John F. Lehman Timothy J. Roemer James R. Thompson

Philio D. Zelikow E:

T1VE 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 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. Public Law 107-306 authorizes the Commission to secure needed information directly from any agency. Thus far, the Commission has compiled an extensive written record numbering over 2 million pages. Building on this record, meetings with senior policymakers are essential to developing the Commission's final report. Your perspective is vital to informing the Commission's understanding of issues pertaining to homeland security, and we are therefore writing to request a meeting with you during the week of December 8, 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 handling of counterterrorism issues during the Clinton-Bush transition period, including briefings given and recommendations offered.

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The nation's national homeland security strategy; the implementation of the Homeland Security Act of 2002; and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security.

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The establishment and operation of the Terrorist Threat Integration Center.

301 7'h Street SW, Room 5125 Washington, DC 20407 T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545 www.9-1 lcommission.gov

The Honorable Richard A. Falkenrath October 27, 2003 Page 2 •

The role of the Office of Homeland Security in the development and coordination of homeland security policy, procedures, and programs, and the relationship of OHS to the National Security Council.

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The role of the Congress in establishing priorities, allocating resources, and providing oversight of intelligence, defense, and homeland security agencies.

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The legal and policy framework governing counterterrorism activities of the federal government and whether further legal and policy changes are necessary.

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 homeland security 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. 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 Chair cc:

Lee H. Hamilton Vice Chair

Daniel Levin, U.S. Department of Justice Thomas A. Monheim, Associate Counsel to the President