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Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
The Honorable John McLaughlin
Richard Ben-Veniste Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Max Cleland
Washington, DC 20505
Frederick F. Fielding
Dear Mr. McLaughlin:
Jamie S. Gorelick
Slade Gorton 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
John F. Lehman
full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11,
Timothy J. Roemer 2001 terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate
James R. Thompson
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.
Philip D. Zelikow
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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 officials are essential to developing an authoritative narrative on the
September 11, 2001 attacks. Your perspective is vital to informing the
Commission's collective understanding of 9-11, and we are therefore writing to
request an interview with you during the week of January 12, 2004.
The Commission hopes to discuss a wide range of topics with you, including (but
not limited to) your description, analysis, and assessment of:
• The 1998 East Africa embassy bombings, the Millennium plots, and the
2000 attack on the U.S.S. Cole, and lessons learned from these events.
• How the CIA fought al Qaeda during this period, including special
activities conducted against Usama Bin Laden and al Qaeda; the legal
301 7'1' Street SW, Room 5125
Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-1 lcommission.gov
Mr. John McLaughlin
October 30, 2003
Page 2
3. The CIA's current role with respect to carrying out U.S. counterterrorism
policy.
You may wish to review notes and other documents 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 U.S. counterterrorism
policy generally, as well as your thoughts on policy recommendations for the
future. 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 Daniel Leopold at (202) 331-4064 to
indicate your availability for such an interview and to relay any questions you or
Mr. John McLaughlin
October 30, 2003
Page3
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,