The Intelligence Community and 9/11: Proposals for an Independent Commission Page: 4 of 6
6 pagesView a full description of this report.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
CRS-4
Opponents of establishing an independent commission stress that the basic
investigation of the 9/11 attacks can best be undertaken by congressional committees
working within oversight responsibilities long established under the rules of the House
and Senate. They point out that the ongoing investigation will soon move into a public
phase and produce for the public a comprehensive assessment of the record of the
Intelligence Community. The intelligence committees, it is argued, are in the best
position to undertake investigations of highly sensitive activities, preventing the
unauthorized disclosure of classified information and protecting intelligence sources and
methods. The Administration has made clear its opposition to a wide-ranging
investigation with extensive public hearings that could lead to a media circus and would,
in its view, jeopardize the ongoing effort against international terrorism, and burden
senior officials with duplicative requests for information and testimony. Some observers
note the apparent strength of Administration sentiment on this issue, and suggest that a
veto of legislation proposing an independent commission could be difficult to override.
Although there were indications in October that an agreement on an independent
commission had been reached, the effort broke down prior to the November 5 elections.
Reportedly, there are differences between the Administration and some Members and
9/11 family representatives over the number of commission members that would be
required to issue subpoenas and whether the executive branch would appoint the
chairman. Observers suggest that pressure to pass an intelligence authorization bill could
encourage compromise on provisions to establish an independent commission.
Possible Approaches
Commentators have suggested that, should Congress proceed with legislation
establishing an independent commission, there are three different sets of concerns that
might be considered. First is the immediate background to the attacks last year; what
evidence was collected, what analysis was performed, what warning were given. Second,
is the structure of the Intelligence Community; how well is it adapted to the effort against
international terrorism? Third is the larger question of the relationship of intelligence
agencies to law enforcement, especially in situations involving U.S. citizens/persons.
Immediate Background of 9/11. The Joint Inquiry is in the process of gathering
vast amounts of data concerning the individuals who carried out the 9/11 attacks, their
associations, their efforts to attend flight schools, the sources of their financial support,
etc. Most observers acknowledge that the ongoing investigation is very extensive and islikely to encompass most of the documentary records and include interviews with almost
all intelligence officials who were responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating
information about terrorist attacks. The executive branch reportedly has been
forthcoming, albeit after prodding. Although it is possible that some important data will
be missed, most observers believe the Joint Inquiry effort will be reasonably thorough.
Many observers also acknowledge as legitimate the concerns of the Administration that
intelligence officials not be subject to repeated and duplicative interviews and document
requests. On the other hand, some observers argue that having a separate set of reviewers,
without ties to intelligence agencies or to the congressional committees, assess the
collected data and undertake supplementary interviews would serve to reassure the public.
Intelligence Organizational Issues. The modern U.S. Intelligence Community
was created in the context of the Cold War; it was designed to support military strategies
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View six places within this report that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Best, Richard A., Jr. The Intelligence Community and 9/11: Proposals for an Independent Commission, report, November 6, 2002; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2314/m1/4/?q=%22congress%22: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.