Posted on 07/20/2004 8:09:33 AM PDT by hope
Tuesday, July 20, 2004 11:02 a.m. EDT WSJ: Berger Took Secret 9/11 Docs on Five Occasions Kerry campaign advisor Sandy Berger removed secret terrorism documents from a 9/11 Commission reading room on no fewer than five occasions, his lawyer Lanny Breuer admitted late Monday night. Breuer told the Wall Street Journal that his client, who served previously as the Clinton administration's National Security Advisor, inadvertently removed several copies of an after-action report on the foiled 1999 Millennium bomb plot during two separate visits to the top secret facility.
Breuer said also that Berger had deliberately removed handwritten notes that he had taken during three additional visits to the Archives last fall to review classified documents. Mr. Breuer said removing those notes was a violation of National Archives policy, and that Mr. Berger regretted the action. "He knew it was a technical violation, and he admits that it was an error in judgment." But according to New York civil rights lawyer Ron Kuby, Berger's decision to remove his notes wasn't just a "technical violation." "You're not permitted to remove anything from that room - period," he said Tuesday morning. "And that means even your notes. If you're taking notes about classified information, those notes are now classified. They're placed in a secure area. You can have access to them only while being viewed by a security officer. Nothing gets removed." Even if Berger had only removed his personal notes on classified material, it would still be a crime, said Kuby, who learned about classified reading room procedures during his own involvement in the trial of the 1993 World Trade Center bombers.
Editor's note:
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
108-108
When the media was on a high, and I include conservative as well, about reliving the Clinton legacy we had a glimpse of what it was like to live during that era. I had almost forgotton how difficult it was to breathe in that climate.
Now, here comes yet another Clinton scandel that not only brings with it the feel of the era, but the reality of it as well.
Inadvertant? Right-Wing conspiracy? Conservatives did not stuff documents down Berger's socks and pants!!
This is a criminal act every citizen of this country can understand. It has a touch of sensationalistic appeal. It involves 9-11. Whether Berger or those involved (Clintons) receive a sentence isn't at all certain. It is certain there is absolutely no way that the media will be able to spin attention off this story. This story is bigger than the Democrats, media or weak initial response of any Republican.
This IS akin to Watergate, worse imo.
"Let's make sure he and Willie don't get off the hook!!"
The Toons and all of their buddies will walk as usual. The Bergermeister "may not" be so fortunate.
That Mr. Berger is STEALING.
This is distracting us from fully savoring the humiliation of that lying swine Joe Wilson.
Don't go there!
Major Violations
The significance of a security violation does not depend upon whether information was actually compromised. It depends upon the intentions and attitudes of the individual who committed the violation.
Ability and willingness to follow the rules for protection of classified information is a prerequisite for maintaining your security clearance. Although accidental and infrequent minor violations are to be expected, deliberate or repeated failure to follow the rules is definitely not. It may be a symptom of underlying attitudes, emotional, or personality problems that are a serious security concern.
The following behaviors are of particular concern and may affect your security clearance:
A pattern of routine security violations due to inattention, carelessness, or a cynical attitude toward security discipline.
Taking classified information home, ostensibly to work on it at home, or carrying it while in a travel status without proper authorization.
Prying into projects or activities for which the person does not have (or no longer has) a need to know. This includes requests for classified publications from reference libraries without a valid need to know, or any attempt to gain unauthorized access to computer systems, information, or data bases.
Intoxication while carrying classified materials or that causes one to speak inappropriately about classified matters or to unauthorized persons.
Deliberate revelation of classified information to unauthorized persons to impress them with one's self-importance.
Copying classified information in a manner designed to obscure classification markings. This may indicate intent to misuse classified information.
Making unauthorized or excessive copies of classified material. Going to another office to copy classified material when copier equipment is available in one’s own work area is a potential indicator of unauthorized copies being made.
Failing to report requests for classified information from unauthorized individuals.
Failure to report a security violation is itself a security violation and may be a very serious concern. After the arrest of Navy spy Jerry Whitworth, who was part of the infamous John Walker spy ring, interviews with Whitworth's work colleagues identified one who had noticed classified papers in Whitworth's personal locker, another who had observed Whitworth monitoring and copying a sensitive communications line without authorization, and a third who knew Whitworth took classified materials home with him but believed he was doing it only to keep his work current. Failure to report these violations enabled Whitworth's espionage to continue.
Storing classified information at home is very serious concern as it may indicate current or potential future espionage. At the time of their arrest, many well-known spies were found to have large quantities of classified documents at their residences. CIA spy Aldrich Ames had 144 classified documents at his home, while Edward Moore had 10 boxes of CIA documents at home. Of various Navy spies, Jonathan Pollard had a suitcase full of classified materials, Michael Walker had 15 pounds of classified material, while Samuel Morison had two portions of Navy documents marked Secret.
Now, how did you get a hold of that script? How does the story end? Oh, yeah, Bush caused many new attacks on our country.
Ping me to anything new on this, if you will. I am babysitting today and can't be on the computer too much. Rats!
Hey, cut the man some slack. Haven't you ever inadvertently stuffed classified documents in your socks? I know I have.
Sorry, Soul Seeker. You will be amazed at how fast this story will disappear.
These were so histerical
Accidentally stole documents 5 times!
No, I don't.
I hope he gets the treatment Martha Stewart SHOULD HAVE received!
Depends.
If you're a Republican, death.
If you're a demorat, a lifetime contract with major Hollywild movie production companies.
Wow if Sandy's socks could hold that much information just think how much of the Congressional Record could fit in Hillary's pantyhose.
Happens every day. As another freeper observed, it is crazy how many times one gets home, undresses and discovers all sorts of confidential documents in their socks and pants.
Seriesly though, this is hugh and that the investigation is months old makes me think that they got the goods on Bergler and we'll be seeing some action. Amazing...
The media is hollering moe about Swarsheneggers "girlie-man comment than they are about Berger taking the documents....., of course they are NOT biased....
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