Republicans Clash Over 9/11 Panel

Reuters ^ | 4-16-04

[Mo1]

Yes but doesn't Gorelick serve on the board of Schlumberger.....? ...a major oil company...

To be honest .. that is the first I heard of that

But it looks like you are right

Gorelick has served on the Schlumberger Board of Directors since 2002.

[nmh]

Will REPUBLICANS EVER GET IT?

WHY, oh WHY must they defend the adversary and feel self righteous about it? It appears they get off on being ridiculous. Get rid of her and consider investigating HER.

[Ann Archy]

The 9/11 panel of commissioners has been seen to be a horrible joke, and the widows have been seen as Democrat political hacks. They lost a TON of sympathy!

[Brimack34]

{Who the heck picked this pussy Thomas Kean to be the Republican Chairman? } Sorry to say he was a President Bush pick. He has had a problem with his picks and should leave them to somone else. Or maybe he did.

[rwfromkansas]

That is almost EXACTLY the same line used by Ben-Veniste on Charlie Rose tonight.

[rwfromkansas]

because Bush got knocked around for wanting Kissinger...

[rwfromkansas]

He got stuck on after Kissinger, which is who Bush wanted, was pushed off.

[rwfromkansas]

It will be coming out in June or July IIRC. Well before the election in political time. It is the day BEFORE (or maybe the day of even) the DEm convention.

[rwfromkansas]

Maybe it is Friday night sleepiness, but why would her serving on oil company boards matter to Sept. 11 and pose a conflict of interest???

[rwfromkansas]

Actually, Bush picked Henry Kissinger and then Kissinger resigned.

Then he had to get this moron.

[TexKat]

Bush Names Thomas Kean to Head

September 11 Investigation

Date: December 16, 2002

President Bush named former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean to replace Henry Kissinger as Chairman of the National Commission to investigate the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Following is the text of the White House announcement:

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

I am pleased to announce that Thomas H. Kean, former governor of New Jersey and President of Drew University in New Jersey, will serve as Chairman of the National Commission to investigate the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the events that led up to it.

Tom Kean is a leader respected for his integrity, fairness, and good judgment. I am confident he will work to make the Commission's investigation thorough. It is important that we uncover every detail and learn every lesson of September 11th.

Governor Kean served on the Advisory Board to the President's Initiative on Race from 1997 to 1998, served as Vice Chairman of the U.S. Delegation to the Fourth U.N. World Conference on Women in 1995, and led the U.S. Delegation to the World Conference on Education for All in Thailand in 1990.

Below is Kissinger's letter, released by the White House on December 13, announcing his decision not to serve as chairman of the joint commission:

December 13, 2002

Dear Mr. President:

The opportunity to engage in public service is the greatest honor a President can bestow upon any citizen. I am grateful that you asked me to serve as Chairman of the Joint Commission to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the tragedy of September 11th.

Certainly, at this critical point in history, there can be no more important undertaking. For over half a century, I have never refused to respond to the call from a President. Nor have I ever put my personal interests ahead of the country 's interest.

Therefore, to remove any questions about even the appearance of a conflict of interest, I was prepared, as I informed the White House Counsel from the beginning, to submit all relevant financial information to the White House, as well as to independent review and in the end to any procedure, consistent with submissions of other members of the Joint Commission.

However, it is clear that, although specific potential conflicts can be resolved in this manner, the controversy would quickly move to the consulting firm I have built and own. To liquidate Kissinger Associates cannot be accomplished without significantly delaying the beginning of the Joint Commission's work. I have, therefore, concluded that I cannot accept the responsibility you proposed.

This is a moment of disappointment for me, of course. I hope very much, however, that the Joint Commission will now be able to be constituted and conduct its important work without delay or distraction.

The mission, in my opinion, is of such importance that it must begin without distraction and controversy so that it can be completed swiftly, thoroughly and credibly.

My hope is that, by the decision to step aside now, the Joint Commission can proceed without further controversy.

With high regard and good wishes,

Respectfully,

Henry A. Kissinger

The Honorable George W. Bush

The President of the United States

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)

[TexKat]

Excerpt

New Chairman of 9/11 Commission had business ties with Osama's Brother in Law

by Michel Chossudovsky

In other words, Delta Oil Ltd. of Saudi Arabia --which is a partner in the Hess-Delta Alliance--is in part controlled by Khalid bin Mafhouz, Osama's brother in law.

And former Governor Thomas Kean not only sits on the board of directors of a company which has business dealings with Khalid bin Mahfouz, he also heads the 9/11 Commission, which has a mandate to investigate Khalid's brother in law, Osama bin Laden.

Dr. Kissinger had a conflict of interest and resigned! The vice chairman of the Commission, former Sen. George Mitchell of Maine, resigned for the same reason. (See Xymphora, 19 Dec 2002 )

Now you would think that being a business partner of the brother in law and alleged financier of "Enemy No. 1" would also be considered a bona fide "conflict of interest", particularly when your mandate --as part of the 9/11 Commission's work-- is to investigate "Enemy No. 1".

[Yaelle]

Ben Venom-nista

You guys are too funny. On another thread just now I saw Bent Penista.

[Mo1]

Who is Michel Chossudovsky??

As for Kean .. I saw a number of references to that .. but they are all linked to leftist sites

[TexKat]

Who's Who on the 9/11 "Independent" Commission

[TexKat]

As for Kean .. I saw a number of references to that .. but they are all linked to leftist sites

It appears to be a leftist site, but it could be that Kean has connections with the Saudi oil company. I will see if I can find more info on it.

[Mo1]

It's possible but I haven't found a legit site or newspaper that makes any kind of reference to that

[rwfromkansas]

Want to talk to Mr. Ben-Veniste?

Contact him at his law firm.

Richard Ben-Veniste
Partner
Washington, D.C.

rben-veniste@mayerbrownrowe.com
Ph: +1 202 263 3333
Fax: +1 202 263 3300

What about Jamie Gorelick?

Well, try her law firm.

2445 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037, US
tel: +1 (202) 663-6500
fax: +1 (202) 663-6363

Jamie.Gorelick@wilmer.com

[TexKat]

Forbes.com

Thomas H Kean

Director at

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

Minnetonka, Minnesota

FINANCIAL / INSURANCE (ACCIDENT & HEALTH)

Director since October 1993

67 years old

Mr. Kean has been the President of Drew University in New Jersey since February 1990. Mr. Kean served as the Governor of the State of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990. From 1968 to 1977, Mr. Kean served in the New Jersey State Assembly, including two years in the position of Speaker. Mr. Kean is also a director of Amerada Hess Corporation, Aramark Corporation, CIT Group, Fiduciary Trust Company International, The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Amerada Hess Annual Report: 2001

William R. Johnson (3)

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

H.J. Heinz Company Thomas H. Kean (1) (2) (4)

President, Drew University;

Former Governor

State of New Jersey

Azerbaijan International

Delta Hess Alliance was established in 1998 for the development and exploration of oil fields in the Caspian region. Amerada Hess (USA) is one of the world's leading independent oil and gas companies. Delta Oil (Saudi Arabia) plays a significant role in the development of major oil and gas fields. In Azerbaijan Delta Hess is involved in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli PSA (2.72%) and the Garabaghli-Kursangi PSA (20%). It is also an equity holder in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline.

Saudi Clans Working With U.S. Oil Firms May Be Tied to bin Laden

Central_Asian_oil,_Enron_and __the_Afghanistan_pipelines