-Caveat Lector-
April 13, 2004 Thomas H. Kean, Chair Lee H. Hamilton, Vice Chair National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States 301 7th Street, SW Room 5125 Washington, DC 20407 Dear Messrs. Kean and Hamilton: Landmark Legal Foundation, a national public interest law firm that specializes in government accountability, formally requests that the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States ("Commission") request that Ms. Jamie S. Gorelick step aside as a Commission member. Ms. Gorelick is hopelessly conflicted in her role as a Commission member, given the numerous issues about which she has knowledge resulting from her service as Deputy Attorney General of the United States from 1994 to 1997. As Deputy Attorney General, Ms. Gorelick oversaw the management, budget and policy objectives of the United States Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"). The Department of Justice's and FBI's pre-9/11 activities and functions are a key focus of the Commission, for which Ms. Gorelick should be providing testimony as a material witness. Ms. Gorelick's recusal in questioning former FBI Director Louis Freeh is no substitute for her testimony. Moreover, as a Commission member, Ms. Gorelick will have input into the Commission's findings, including those related to areas involving her past role. If Ms. Gorelick does not immediately step aside, many in the public will undoubtedly conclude that the Commission's work has been compromised. The Commission knows best what matters Ms. Gorelick was directly involved in as Deputy Attorney General. However, here are a few examples that warrant Ms. Gorelick stepping aside.
Former Chief Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. McCarthy led the 1995 terrorism prosecution of Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, among others. Writing in National Review Online, he states:Additionally, Mr. McCarthy states: But the Justice Department, with Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick in the thick of important policy decisions, did not see it that way. Committed to the bitter end to the law enforcement mindset, and overwrought at the mere possibility of violating the ill-conceived 'primary purpose' test, DOJ made matters significantly worse. It imposed severe procedural barriers against competent intelligence gathering. As described by the FIFSA Court of Review in 2002: (Andrew C. McCarthy, "What About the Wall?" National Review Online, April 13, 2004, available at http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/mccarthy.) Ethan Wallision, also writing in National Review Online, states: [In questioning National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, Commissioner Gorelick] pointed to a report from 2001 that indicated, in her own words, that 'we have big systemic problems. The FBI doesn't work the way it should, and it doesn't communicate with the intelligence community.' In the ensuing dialogue, Rice seemed to implicate Gorelick in the allegation. (Ethan Wallison, "Wrong Side of the Table," National Review Online, April 12, 2004, available at http://www.nationalreviewonline.com/comment/wallision.) Curt Anderson, a writer for the Associated Press, reports further that the FBI was hamstrung in its efforts to combat terrorism. He quotes your Commission staff report:
'On Sept. 11, the FBI was limited in several areas,' the commission said in a staff report. It cited 'limited intelligence collection and strategic analysis capabilities, a limited capacity to share information both internally and externally, insufficient training, an overly complex legal regime and inadequate resources.' Moreover, Mr. Anderson reports that former acting FBI Director Thomas Pickard was surprised by Ms. Gorelick's presence on the Commission:
According to a commission document obtained by the Associated Press, Pickard also raised questions about the presence of former Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick on the panel. The document said Pickard found her membership 'surprising' because she and Reno had developed the policy to counter international terrorism primarily through the use of law enforcement techniques. (Curt Anderson, "FBI Weak on Terror Threat Response," Associated Press, April 13, 2004.) Ms. Gorelick should step down from the Commission, and the Commission should seek her sworn public testimony on these and other matters related to her role as Deputy Attorney General pre-9/11. Sincerely, Mark R. Levin Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om |