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Kissinger head probe Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20021127_268.html http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20021127_268.html Kissinger to Head Independent Sept. 11 Probe Nov. 27 -- By Adam Entous WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Wednesday approved creation of a commission to investigate the government's failure to prevent the Sept. 11 attacks and appointed former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as chairman to "follow all the facts wherever they lead." Democrats said Bush and other top officials in current and past administrations could be asked to testify about events leading up to the attacks that killed more than 3,000 people. Kissinger promised a full investigation, including an examination of any ties between U.S. ally Saudi Arabia and Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network, which the United States accuses of masterminding the attacks. "We are not restricted by any foreign policy considerations," Kissinger said. "We are under no restrictions and we would accept no restrictions." The Bush administration initially opposed the commission, arguing that a congressional investigation was better equipped to preserve national security secrets. But families of the attack victims led a public campaign and pressured Bush to back down. "This commission will help me and future presidents to understand the methods of America's enemies and the nature of the threat we face," Bush said at the bill-signing ceremony before flying to his Crawford, Texas, ranch for a Thanksgiving holiday weekend. "This investigation should carefully examine all the evidence and follow all the facts wherever they lead. We must uncover every detail and learn every lesson of Sept. 11," Bush said. The commission, included in a spending bill for intelligence agencies, will look for failures in intelligence, aviation security, immigration and other areas. Subpoenas could be issued by agreement of the chair and vice chair or a vote of six of the 10 commission members. Bush said Kissinger, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and former national security adviser, will bring "broad experience, clear thinking and careful judgment to this important task." He urged the commission to issue its report within the next 18 months. "After all, if there's changes that need to be made, we need to know them as soon as possible for the security of our country. The sooner we have the commission's conclusions, the sooner this administration will act on them," Bush said. In a message to victims' families, who he will meet with next week, Kissinger said, "There is nothing that can be done about the losses they have suffered, but everything must be done to avoid that such a tragedy can occur again." BROADER PROBE White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush did not envision testifying before the panel. The White House disclosed in May that Bush was told in the months before the attacks that al Qaeda might hijack U.S. passenger planes, prompting the administration to issue an alert to federal agencies -- but not to the American public. White House officials said Bush received no information to suggest al Qaeda planned to use airplanes as missiles as they did on Sept. 11, 2001, to attack the Pentagon and destroy the World Trade Center. But Democrats said Bush's testimony could be essential. "I would be surprised if this commission, in pursuit of the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth ..., did not want to speak with this president, and high officials in this administration," said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a Connecticut Democrat. Kissinger skirted questions about whether Bush should testify. "I don't want to make a judgment," he said. The House of Representatives and Senate Intelligence committees previously investigated the failures of U.S. spy agencies. The 10-member commission will be equally divided with five Republican appointees and five Democrats. photo credit and caption: Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger listens as President George W. Bush speaks at the White House November 27, 2002. Despite initial objections, Bush Wednesday approved creation of an independent commission headed by Kissinger to investigate the government's failure to prevent the September 11 attacks. Photo by Mike Theiler/Reuters Copyright 2002 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Copyright © 2002 ABC News Internet Ventures. Click here for Press Information, Terms of Use & Privacy Policy & Internet Safety Information applicable to the site.

Coverup kissinger { December 3 2002 } Kissinger client conflicts { December 2 2002 } Kissinger head probe ap { November 27 2002 } Kissinger head probe Kissinger outrage { November 27 2002 } Kissinger quits { December 13 2002 } Post kissinger inquiry Files Listed: 7

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