Posted on 03/22/2004 1:55:17 PM PST by truthandlife
A spokesman for the independent commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks said Monday that he was aware that former Clinton administration terrorism czar Richard Clarke was writing a book about the 9/11 attacks, but was surpised to learn that its release would be timed to coincide with Clarke's testimony before the panel.
"I had heard that he had a book coming out," Commission spokesman Al Felzenberg told NewsMax.com. "But I had no idea when it was coming out."
Asked if Commission Chairman Thomas Kean or Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton were concerned that Clarke would be using his appearance to help publicize his book, Felzenberg said, "I don't know what to say about that."
"I know the publisher was very active in this and [Clarke's book] was embargoed for some time," he added. Simon & Schuster decided to release Clarke's book on the eve of the Commission's hearing on terrorism policy before the 9/11 attacks.
"He's one of eight witnesses and his testimony will be given the same weight as the other seven will," the Commission spokesman insisted.
Felzenberg said there was no thought given to postponing Clarke's appearance, though it undoubtedly will be used to generate additional publicity for his book.
"He'll be testifying on the second day. He's following Rumsfeld and Powell and some very important people. He's one of eight - he's not leading it off," Felzenberg stressed.
When asked whether Clarke would be questioned about a CIA videotape broadcast by NBC News last week showing that the Clinton administration had Osama bin Laden in its crosshairs but failed to act, Felzenberg said, "We can't comment on materials before the committee."
If scumbags like him are on this commission, I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it.
Or maybe he is there as legal advisor, which is still not a very comforting fact.
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