Thomas H.

Kean October 20, 2003

CHAIR

Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
The Honorable William S. Cohen
Richard Ben-Veniste Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Cohen Group
Max Cleland
1200 19th Street, NW
Frederick F. Fielding Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Jamie S. Oorelick

Slade Gorton
Dear Secretary Cohen:

John F. Lehman The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (better
Timothy J. Roemer
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
James R. Thompson terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate response
to, the attacks. The Commission is also chartered to identify and evaluate lessons
Philip D. Zelikow learned and provide recommendations to prevent future acts of terrorism upon our
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR nation.

Interviews with former senior policymakers are essential to developing an

authoritative narrative of the September 11, 2001 attacks. As the former
Secretary of Defense, 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 February 2, 2004.

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

• The Department of Defense's role in U.S. counterterrorism policy from

January 1998 through January 2001, including your assessment of Defense's
view of the extent of its counterterrorism responsibilities.

• Defense's positions articulated at relevant Principals' Committee meetings on

how to respond to the al Qaeda threat, as well as a description of Principals'
Committee meetings that discussed military options.

• The effectiveness of interagency coordination on the al Qaeda threat,

including guidance provided by Defense for the relevant presidential decision
directives.

301 7th Street SW, Room 5125

Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-llcommission.gov
The Honorable William S. Cohen
October 20, 2003
Page 2

• Defense's responses to the 1998 East Africa embassy bombings, the

Millennium plots, and the 2000 attack on the U.S.S. Cole, including Defense's
views on the wisdom of various options considered.

• Military options requested, considered, and rejected or approved for

responding to al Qaeda during this period, including paramilitary or special
forces missions, steps taken by Defense in preparation for a possible order to
strike al Qaeda or Taliban targets during your tenure, the readiness of the
military to carry out possible orders, and military attitudes toward requests to
strike Afghan or other al Qaeda-related targets.

• Discussions that took place on possible al Qaeda attacks on U.S. soil and the
Department's preparations for homeland defense;

• Your own advice to the President and other principals about the proper
strategic and tactical responses to the al Qaeda threat

• Intelligence support to the military on the al Qaeda threat, including

cooperation between the CIA and Defense in responding to the al Qaeda threat
and the possible use of UAVs. This should also include discussion of
funding, flying, and firing issues related to relevant UAV programs.

• Defense's efforts to ensure international military cooperation against al Qaeda.

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

period, including a detailed discussion of briefings given, recommendations
offered, and responses to the views of outgoing officials.

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.

This proposed interview is separate from your requested participation in a public

hearing to be held in Washington, DC, on March 22,2004. You will receive a
The Honorable William S. Cohen
October 20, 2003
PageS

separate invitation to testify in the coming weeks, and we hope that you will agree
to appear before the Commission for this important public forum.

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