Posted on 07/19/2004 5:07:42 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
AP: Clinton Adviser Probed in Terror Memos
3 minutes ago Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!
By JOHN SOLOMON
WASHINGTON - President Clinton (news - web sites)'s national security adviser, Sandy Berger, is the focus of a criminal investigation after admitting he removed highly classified terrorism documents from a secure reading room during preparations for the Sept. 11 commission hearings, The Associated Press has learned.
Berger's home and office were searched earlier this year by FBI (news - web sites) agents armed with warrants. Some drafts of a sensitive after-action report on the Clinton administration's handling of al-Qaida terror threats during the December 1999 millennium celebration are still missing.
Berger and his lawyer said Monday night he knowingly removed handwritten notes he had taken from classified anti-terror documents he reviewed at the National Archives by sticking them in his jacket and pants. He also inadvertently took copies of actual classified documents in a leather portfolio, they said.
"I deeply regret the sloppiness involved, but I had no intention of withholding documents from the commission, and to the contrary, to my knowledge, every document requested by the commission from the Clinton administration was produced," Berger said in a statement to the AP.
Berger served as Clinton's national security adviser for all of the president's second term and most recently has been informally advising Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites). Clinton asked Berger last year to review and select the administration documents that would be turned over to the commission.
The FBI searched Berger's home and office with warrants earlier this year after employees of the National Archives told agents they believed they witnessed Berger put documents into his clothing while reviewing sensitive Clinton administration papers, officials said.
When asked, Berger said he returned some of the classified documents, which he found in his office, and all of the handwritten notes he had taken from the secure room, but said he could not locate two or three copies of the highly classified millennium terror report.
(Excerpt) Read more at story.news.yahoo.com ...
That is one big mistake Bush made when taking office, imo. In trying to change the tone in Washington, he let a lot of Clinton ugliness slide.
Berger testified at one of the commission's public hearings about the Clinton administration's approach to fighting terrorism. The former president answered the panel's questions at a private meeting.The former national security adviser himself had ordered his anti-terror czar Richard Clarke in early 2000 to write the after-action report and has spoken publicly about how the review brought to the forefront the realization that al-Qaida had reached America's shores and required more attention.
This is pay dirt!
I believe the Senate Intel committee was last seen preening for the cameras and couldn't be interrupted.
Isn't that DISGUSTING??? I guess we are to be thankful that a Clintonoid had his pants ON!
Thanks. It's going to take me a while to get caught up on this story.
How did Berger get caught?
or (Honest! My trousers are certified to Class III Security Level)
Oh my heavens, that's gold. I wish I was hunting for a topic for a doctoral psych thesis.
LOL! Much obliged Petronski. Could be new Python material....
Heheh.....beautiful zinger.
When classified matter is entrusted or made known to you, you must protect it against loss or compromise. You are responsible for any act or failure that contributes to the loss, compromise, or unauthorized disclosure of classified information. This includes information that is passed verbally.
When you are found responsible for the loss, compromise, or unauthorized disclosure of classified matter or when you violate security regulations, you can expect to be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary action may include, in the case of military personnel, trial by court-martial or, in the case of civilians, prosecution under Title 18, United States Code, as amended, or other federal statutes, as appropriate.
I can't wait to here Rush's take on all of this, I sure he's up reading all of the reports
"I havnt had so much fun since the last train wreck...."
i can't wait to hear rush's response.....LOL!!!! every talk show host is going to pound on this....except for the O'Frauden Factor (stuart smalley's show).
That's not real clear yet - all I've seen is lots of speculation, with the most plausible being that someone caught Berger on a video tape giving himself a "package enhancement" with top secret documents. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't learn how he was caught for some time - I bet Justice will want to keep the details of the investigation as close to the vest as possible.
LOL. Someone just came up with "Depends Gate - Trying to catch all the leaks". I kinda liked mastergate myself, but Jerry thought it was a little too close to the FCC line.
bttt
Former National Security Adviser prepared remarks before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4593926
wishful thinking......
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.