Posted on 07/19/2004 5:07:42 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
AP: Clinton Adviser Probed in Terror Memos
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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 ...
Well of COURSE he stuck the documents in his pants!
It was the Clinton Administration, after all, and they were ALL about pants.
Not only am I glad that Lott stepped down as Majority Leader, but I believe that he should be flushed from the U.S. Senate like the other waste from the rest rooms!
Was it socks or Pants?
sw
It's what he removed and destroyed.
EXACTLY!!! I do think the Justice Dept played it right by keeping it under wraps as long as they did. It gave them time to get a good grip on the investigation before the media spin machine started passing out talking points. I would bet they have a fairly airtight case by now.
This is going to be disastorous for Sandy Berger. If he is not criminally prosecuted, I will have lost all faith in our jusdicial system.
This is every bit as big as Watergate, and bigger in that it directly affects the National Security of the United States.
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Utter integrity...except for this shabby, half-assed document burglary. Sheesh.
A Liar and Thief!
So the strategy is to lie and steal to win the election?
It's sickening, but you're right, nothing will come of it. It is so unbelievable how the people who surround the clintons can do illegal activities and NOTHING is ever done about it, thanks in large part to their co-conspirators in the media. For once I would love to see justice done with this gang.
From Patterson's Dereliction of Duty:
"The watch officer notified Natonal Security Advisor Sandy Berger, "Sir, we've located bin Laden. We have a two-hour window to strike."
Berger ambled down the stairwell and entered the Sit Room. He picked up the phone at one of the busy controller consoles and called the president. Amazingly, President Clinton was not available. Berger tried again and again. Bin Laden was within stricking distance. The window of opportunity was closing fast. The plan of attack was set and the Tomahawk crews were ready. For about an hour Berger couldn't get the commander in chief on the line. Though the president was always accompanied by military aides and the Secret Service, he was somehow unavailable. Berger stalked the Sit Room, anxious and impatient.
Finally, the president accepted Berger's call. There was discussion, there were pauses - and no decision. The president wanted to talk with his secretaries of defense and state. He wanted to study the issue further. Berger was forced to wait. The clock was ticking. The president eventually called back. He was still indecisive. He wanted more discussion. Berger alternated between phone calls and watching the clock.
The NSC watch officer was convinced we had the right target. The intelligence sources were conclusive. The president, however, wanted a guaranteed hit or nothing at all.
This time, it was nothing at all."
It's all OK because there were backup copies.
As NSA chief, Berger knew that there were backup copies, so that's what made it OK for him to take them.
Now I know that the reason for the emphasis on Berger's story this morning is to plant the supposedly "exculpatory" story about the backup copies.
mORE CORRUPTION FROM THE cLINTOON PEOPLE.
Let's keep this new "-gate" word out there!
What is somebody who is actively involved in Kerry's campaign even doing on the commission?
Why is Gorelick still on the commission, and not in front of it? Why are they playing politics with 9/11?
In this matter Berger does not deserve the benefit of the doubt. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck.
I only hope there is a backup copy. Then we can determine what he was trying to hide.
Maybe if Bush had him arrested and deported to Guantanmo, the mainstream news might cover the sotry.
I think the "backup copy" angle is spin. From everything I've read, it sounds like the relevant documents are multiple DRAFTS of the eventual memo.
I don't think he took multiple copies of the same memo. I think he took multiple (different) drafts which led to the official memo.
Kansas has cubicles?! ;-)
This doesn't have to be a Republicn leak. It could have come from someone in the National Archives who wants to make sure Gergen doesn't skate.
Gergen is a weasel, and should never be invited to any Republican function.
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