AP: Clinton Adviser Probed in Terror Memos [Sandy Berger is the focus of a criminal investigation]

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[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.

[mass55th]

"So Kerry has a proven liar (Wilson) and classified document thief (Berger) advising him. Hummmmm"

Don't forget his brother Cameron, who was caught breaking and entering the office of Kerry's opponent in 1972.

[McGavin999]

Would you like to take a stab at explaining to me how someone doesn't realize they've taken a leather portfolio? And two or three copies of a report? I'm having a hard time with the logic here.

[palmer]

Destroying evidence..

He better have a really good shredder or a good explanation of why he lit a fire in the warm season.

[CFC__VRWC]

Desperation isn't the word....

Agreed - this smacks of the most extreme arrogance you can imagine, the arrogance that comes with spending a lifetime flouting the law right out in the open, and never being held accountable.

[snooker]

"When did Berger remove these docs??? "

If you put the story together, it was before. Clinton sent Berger over to sort the docs into what the 9/11 commission should look at. Along the way he spotted some docs the commission shouldn't see. Those went into his pants.

He probably figured if he got the docs out of the secure room, the commission would simply not know there was anything missing. Not hard to connect the dots here.

The good news is it's highly unlikely these level of docs were not copies, and it's also unlikely they were not controlled. It probably was the control mechanism which tipped the FBI. Been there done that :-}

[MJY1288]

LOL, I wonder what the juveniles over at DU think of this? brwwaahaahaaa

[NavySEAL F-16]

I would love to know who gave them the rope. They deserve my hearty congratulations!

[Mo1]

And I have NO idea how they found out, but I'm loving it!

What's Web Hubble doing these days?? *L*

[fortunecookie]

This is too funny. No photo shop, no coercing, just the good ol' gang funnin' around. It really sums up the whole administration quite nicely. Well, as they say, truer words were never spoken....

Although I find it hard to believe that X42 could keep things out of his mouth...

[theophilusscribe]

Cameron, who was caught breaking and entering the office of Kerry's opponent in 1972.

Huh?

[jimbo123]

Soap-On-A-Rope Time for Sandy B.

[Diogenesis]

"Book him, and check on his relation to Barbara Wise's murder, Dano."

[True Capitalist]

John Batchalor and John Loftus are scheduled to have their boy Joe Wilson on tonight.

WABC radio 770 AM

www.wabcradio.com

[Shermy]

I'm amazed that Berger may have actually thought he could get away with this.

Yes. And consider this: as early as last week he was publicly speaking for Kerry. But his home was searched early this year (apparently). If he knew this and didn't tell Kerry, where's his judgment?

If he told Kerry, and Kerry didn't step away from him, that would be even more astounding. That's why I tend to believe Berger kept it to himself.

[George W. Bush]

I think he removed all the documents not already known to exist by the 9/11 commission.

If they didn't have another document which could lead them to one of those that Berger had access to, then he removed it and destroyed it.

The only explanation for his actions under the circumstances was criminal intent.

[Howlin]

You promise?

I don't want anymore WEASEL words..........

[NCjim]

It adds new credibility to the saying, "They couldn't find their collective asses with both hands."

[Stellar Dendrite]

How DARE you question his patriotism!! Nothing to see here, lets just MOVE ON folks.....

;)

[bigjoesaddle]

I'm amazed that Berger may have actually thought he could get away with this.

If we don't find out what is in the missing documents, he did get away with it.

[OldFriend]

Without a video Berger would be lying thru his teeth, denying everything.