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A Daily Chronicle of Bush Administration Distortion November 17, 2003
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Administration Grants Restricted Access to President's Intelligence Briefing



Nearly one year after its creation, the 9/11 Independent Commission announced an agreement with the Bush administration Wednesday about access to the Presidential Daily Briefing.1

President Bush, who originally opposed the formation of an independent commission, said at the ceremony signing it into law that the investigation should, "carefully examine all the evidence and follow all the fact [sic], wherever they lead."2 But last month, frustrated by the lack of response by the administration in key areas, Republican Chairman Tom Kean warned the White House that the commission may subpoena the documents it wanted, indicating that no document can be "beyond [the commission's] reach."3

Two days later, the President offered a milder statement of support for the commission's access, saying, "I do want to be helpful to Chairman Kean and [Vice Chairman] Lee Hamilton."4

But the deal struck this week allows the White House to edit the documents before they are released to the commission representatives, and limits the number of commission members who have access to the report.

The specifics of the agreement were not released publicly, but two Democrats on the panel objected to its limitations. Former Congressman, Timothy Roemer, pointed out, "Our members may see only two or three paragraphs out of a nine-page report."5 And former Senator Max Cleland has described the agreement as unconscionable.

The White House had refused for months to grant access to the Presidential Daily Briefing, or PDB, citing security concerns. The commission is required to present its final report on May 27, 2004, which the law states should be "a full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including preparedness for and the immediate response to the attacks."6

Sources:
  1. "9/11 Panel Reaches Deal On Access To Papers," Washington Post, 11/13/03, p. A01.
  2. Presidential Bill Signing, 11/27/02.
  3. "9/11 Commission Could Subpoena Oval Office Files," New York Times, 10/26/03.
  4. Presidential Press Conference, 10/28/03.
  5. "Deal on 9/11 Briefings Lets White House Edit Papers," New York Times, 11/14/03.
  6. PL 107-306.



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