Sk B9 Tier A-b Interviews 1 Of 2 Fdr- Hadley Interview Request 189

~homas H. Kean :HAIR ,ee H. Hamilton 'ICE CHAIR

October 27, 2003

•rederick F. Fielding

The Honorable Stephen J. Hadley Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs The White House Washington, DC 20500

amie S. Gorelick

Dear Mr. Hadley:

Uchard Ben-Veniste vlax Cleland

Jlade Gorton ohn F. Lehman Timothy J. Roemer ames R. Thompson

v11- D. Zelikow WE 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. 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 more than 2 million pages, including sensitive National Security Council documents from the current administration and its predecessor. Building on this record, meetings with senior policymakers will be essential to developing an authoritative narrative of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Your perspective is vital to the Commission's understanding of counterterrorism policy, and we are therefore writing to request a meeting with you during the week of December 15,2003. 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's role in U.S. counterterrorism policy from January 2001 until the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, including relevant Deputies' Committee meetings on al Qaeda, Afghanistan, or Pakistan. This should include, inter alia, your views on the effectiveness of U.S. counterterrorism policy.

•

The drafting of terrorism-related NSPDs from January 2001 until the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, including the Deputies' Committee-level process leading up to the September 4, 2001 301 7 lh Street SW, Room 5125 Washington, DC 20407 T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545 www.9-1 lcommission.gov

The Honorable Stephen J. Hadley October 27, 2003 Page 2 Principals' Committee meeting and your interactions with and views of the <~''s<'^-1i=>\/p1 CSG-level r\rr>r><=><3<: process. JL

•

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 6ptions considered; U.S. diplomacy, especially with Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan; potential U.S. proxy forces in Afghan operations; resources and budgets; and the effectiveness of the interagency process on counterterrorism issues.

•

The use of UAVs as a counterterrorism tool from January 2001 until the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, including your own views on their efficacy and the policymaking process.

•

Discussions of possible pre-9-11 al Qaeda attacks on U.S. soil from January 2001 until the attacks on September 11, 2001, as well as responses either taken or considered.

•

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. This should also include decisions about the structure of the NSC, including the Transnational Threats Directorate, as well as the determination of overall national security priorities, and the handling of issues related to the 2000 attack on the U.S.S. Cole.

•

The immediate response of the NSC to the 9-11 attacks, including your own actions, advice, and decisions (including coordination of air defenses) in the aftermath of the attacks.

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. 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

The Honorable Stephen J. Hadley October 27, 2003 Page 3 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