iMOV ;
Thomas H. Kean
CHAIR
Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
Richard Ben-Veniste
Max Cleland
Fred F. Fielding
Jamie S. Gorelick
Slade Gorton
John F. Lehman
Timothy J. Roemer
James R. Thompson
Philip D. Zelikow
E*"~~ ITIVE DIRECTOR
301 7 r h Street SW, Suite 5 1 2 5
Washington, DC 20407
r 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
October 30, 2003
General Tommy Franks (USA, ret.)
2605-D South MacDill
Tampa, FL 33629
Dear General Franks:
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 policymakers are essential to developing an
authoritative narrative of the September 11, 2001 attacks. As the former
Commander of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), 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 January
26, 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 role of USCENTCOM in the development of U.S. counterterrorism
policy from July 1, 2000, through September 20, 2001, and the effectiveness
of that policy.
• The military's counterterrorism responsibilities and the readiness of the
military to carry out possible orders to strike al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan
or elsewhere.
• The effectiveness of interagency coordination on the al Qaeda threat, and your
advice to the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, White House
officials, and other principals about the proper strategic and tactical responses
to the al Qaeda threat.
26 Federal Plaza
Suite 13-100
New York, NY 10278
T 212.264.1505 F 212.264.1595
General Tommy Franks (USA, ret.)
October 30, 2003
Page 2

• USCENTCOM's response to the 1998 East Africa embassy bombings and the
2000 attack on the U.S.S. Cole, including USCENTCOM's position on the
various options considered.

• Military options requested, considered, rejected, or approved in response to al

Qaeda from January 1,1998, to August 31,2000, particularly those developed
by USCENTCOM, including paramilitary or special forces missions, and
steps taken by USCENTCOM in preparation for a possible order to strike al
Qaeda or Taliban targets.

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

period, including a detailed discussion of briefings given and
recommendations offered.

• Intelligence support to the military, particularly USCENTCOM, on the al

Qaeda threat, including the cooperation between the CIA and USCENTCOM
in responding to that threat, and discussions on the use of U AVs.

• USCENTCOM efforts to ensure international military cooperation against al

Qaeda, including efforts with the government of Uzbekistan.

• Discussions that took place from July 1, 2000, to September 11, 2001, on
possible al Qaeda attacks on U.S. soil.

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
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.
General Tommy Franks (USA, ret.)
October 30, 2003
Page 3

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