Posted on 07/20/2004 10:21:48 AM PDT by we_will_prevail
7/20/2004 12:54:00 PM
To: National Desk
Contact: John Feehery or Pete Jeffries, 202-225-2800, both of the Office of House Speaker Dennis Hastert
WASHINGTON, July 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) released the following statement regarding allegations that former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger removed highly classified terrorism documents and handwritten notes from a secure reading room during preparations for the 9/11 Commission hearings:
"I am profoundly troubled by allegations that former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger removed highly classified documents from the National Archives regarding the Clinton Administration's handling of terrorist attacks prior to the September 11th attacks.
"What could those documents have said that drove Mr. Berger to remove them without authorization from a secure reading room for classified documents?
"What information could be so embarrassing that a man with decades of experience in handling classified documents would risk being caught pilfering our nation's most sensitive secrets?
"Did these documents detail simple negligence or did they contain something more sinister? Was this a bungled attempt to rewrite history and keep critical information from the 9/11 Commission and potentially put their report under a cloud?
"It is my understanding that Mr. Berger shoved this classified information into his clothing to smuggle them out of the National Archives. Press reports indicate that Archival staff became concerned when documents began to disappear and specifically marked additional documents to track them. A number of those documents also turned up missing.
"Mr. Berger has a lot of explaining to do. He was given access to these documents to assist the 9/11 Commission, not hide information from them. The American people and the 9/11 families don't want cover-ups when it comes to the War on Terror. They want the truth. And so does the U.S. House of Representatives."
GOOD for Speaker Hastert.
He is right on.
Unfortunately, being invertebrates, the Republicans will do nothing about it.
well thank goodness someone stepped up to issue a statement like this before Pat Roberts or Hagel can get to a microphone to exonerate Berger.
FNC reported something about a memo Sandy wrote in Feb and if he used the classified information in it
This press release is unlikely to see the light of day. The media only publicize DNC press releases.
Rennes...this is very interesting.
What I would give to be a reporter breaking this wide open.
I have a feeling this is MUCH larger than a simple case of stealing docs.
You don't take docs for nothing. And, due to the numerous times he took the documents, I bet he knew what exactly he was taking...perhaps he had orders on what to remove.
I don't think that's the essential question.
The essential question is the content of the missing documents written by annointed sage Richard Clarke.
The docs dealt with the Clinton administration's response to Al Queda entering the U.S. in '99.
This goes back squarely to the question of national security and how the Dems handle it and how Bush has handled it since then.
Prediction:
The unanimous 9/11 report will be be put on hold at the end of the week because of suddenly developed dissenting opinions.
"The timing of this really concerns me."
Good. This is where the focus has to be kept. The press will try to obfuscate this with the fact that Clinton was involved. I wish Hastert's statement had included something like this.
We must not let it go: BERGER WORKS FOR THE KERRY CAMPAIGN NOW.
Mo, we were speculating on another thread that maybe Berger wanted to get caught for his own safety. Elsewhere, he states he's willing to cooperate. He's the subject of a probe, but not a target at this point...although it's clear he's a criminal.
Berger won't be penalized.
Berger's bosses won't be scrutinized.
Republicans will be called "mean-spirited" by all lefties.
It is going to be another instance of the same story -- America, the land of freedom, liberty, and justice for some.
And for his own safety, wanted to get caught. He's said he's willing to cooperate with investigators...
Here's my problem with all this:
Has any news agency reported if the documents taken were ONLY copies in existance? If they were copies, and the original remained in the archive, then I can see where this story might fall apart. IF they were the only copies existing, then this could explode into major news.
Anyone know where to point me to a source showing that the documents were one offs? I could really use that info to burn someone on another forum.
There is blood in the water on this one and I think the Republicans have been waiting for this to come out. Hastert would not be making this statement if there was not more there.
This will keep getting bigger and we will be hearing about this in the days to come.
How far up does this go, and does it stop at the name Bill or Hillary?
The contrast between Hastert and Lott/Gergen is striking; the difference between backbone and jelly.
There is nothing sensationalistic about Hastert's statement; in fact, I find his comments appropriate given the rather odd manner in which these documents were pilfered...err, "accidentally borrowed".
IF that is true .. then this is bigger then we could ever imagine
Just one question .. why did he keep going on the TV shows and spew his Bush lied
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