Hastert Statement on Berger Allegations

U.S. Newswire ^ | July 20, 2004

[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."

[Peach]

The GOP had better wise up and stop playing into the Rat's hands. They never should have fired that GOP staffer. Never.

[Wil H]

Is it possible that a President of the United States knew something like 9/11 was coming, and that he and members of his national security team KEPT THAT KNOWLEDGE FROM THE INCOMING BUSH ADMINISTRATION?

I wish the pubbies would come out and make this accusation loud and clear and then watch the scramble as the Dems try to refute it.

If nothing else they would sacrifice Berger in the process.

[LTCJ]

If they suspected documents were missing the SOP would be to immediately audit the collection after each access. (That is not necessarily trivial, depending on the size of the archive in question.) If he had stolen documents more that twice, they'd have him without the need for special markings. Again, the only reason to "specifically mark" already catalogued and indexed documents is if they suspected documents being replaced after improper editting.

There are specific procedures followed to change classified documents. You don't just take out an eraser or substitute a page in an already logged document. Any such change in itself would be enough to send him to the big house.

[onyx]

GOOD thinking.
I wholeheartedly agree with you.
The democrats would sacrifice Berger.

[Wolfstar]

Shermy, it's got to be something deadly serious in order for Berger to take such chances, not once, but several times with the same set of archival material. It can't just be over different iterations of Clarke drafts — unless those iterations show something truly damning. The only thing that comes to my mind, and which fits the known facts at this time, is the possibility that Clinton and/or his goons knew something more than merely speculative about 9/11-style threats and kept it from the Bush team.

[Shermy]

is the possibility that Clinton and/or his goons knew something more than merely speculative about 9/11-style threats and kept it from the Bush team.

Or they thought it was speculative, not worthy of inclusion, and omitted it in the final version. And, in hindsight, that reflects bad on them, whether Bush or Gore was to be president.

[Political Junkie Too]

If you missed this thread last night, I suggest you read the linked National Review article by Mark Levin from April, when Ashcroft testified before the 9/11 Commission: Mark Levin: This is why Berger stole the documents and 'lost' them.

-PJ

[Wolfstar]

Again, the only reason to "specifically mark" already catalogued and indexed documents is if they suspected documents being replaced after improper editting.

Thank you, LTCJ, for being patient and explaining these procedures to me. This is valuable information.

[Wolfstar]

Very true.

[Wolfstar]

Thanks, PJT. I'll read the article right now, before I go to lunch.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Some of us are using SOXGATE in honor of the Boston Red Sox and the coming DemonicRat's Convention next week in Boston and of course the notes Berger stuck in his SOCKS!!!!!

What a laugh!!!

[Mo1]

Is it possible that a President of the United States knew something like 9/11 was coming, and that he and members of his national security team KEPT THAT KNOWLEDGE FROM THE INCOMING BUSH ADMINISTRATION?

There was an article about Clinton putting a 30 day sanctions on the Talibon/Afgan in Dec of 2000

It scared the UN so much they pulled their relief workers out due to safety concerns

Let me see if I can find it

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Not speculating here, but I do think it's reasonable to ask this devastating question: Is it possible that a President of the United States knew something like 9/11 was coming, and that he and members of his national security team KEPT THAT KNOWLEDGE FROM THE INCOMING BUSH ADMINISTRATION?

Very profound statement....

We shall see!!!!!

[F.J. Mitchell]

The Sonovabitch certainly does have a lot of explaining to do-under oath and before a Grand Jury!

The Clinton's still possess the power to force their flunkies to fall on their swords for their benefit.

It's past time for forcing the bleating jackasses who still call every revelation of evil doing and deciet against the Clinton Administration, a vast Right Wing Conspiracy, to admit the truth. The lies that those lying liar Clinton stooges have told and continue to tell, must at long last be laid out naked in all their liberal, partisan biased ugliness.

[Mo1]

FOUND IT!


The Final Clinton Gift ? Give us Osama in 30 days, or.?..Dec.20, 2000 (title-mine)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/528591/posts

(SNIP)

Tough Sanctions Imposed on Taliban Government Split UN

By Barbara Crossette

New York Times
December 20, 2000

Led by the United States and Russia, the Security Council imposed harsh new sanctions on the Taliban government of Afghanistan today, leaving the United Nations profoundly split over the human and political damage the measures could inflict on one of the world's poorest nations. The vote in the 15-member Council was 13 for the embargo, with China and Malaysia abstaining.

At a year-end news conference, Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed his barely concealed displeasure at the move, which was also opposed by his special envoy trying to start peace negotiations between the Taliban and the remnants of an opposition army fighting in a corner of the country. United Nations relief officials working in Afghanistan have been unusually public in their criticism. Private agencies also lobbied the Council against taking this step. "It is not going to facilitate our peace efforts, nor is it going to facilitate our humanitarian work," Mr. Annan said of the Security Council action. "I think we had given adequate indications of that to the Council. But the decision belongs to the Council and of course, once they take the decision, we have to adapt and take the necessary measures that are required."

Today, the United Nations removed all its remaining relief workers from the country, fearing a backlash from the Taliban, who will be almost completely isolated diplomatically when the resolution takes effect in 30 days, a grace period during which the Taliban could avoid sanctions by meeting the Council's demands. Air links will be cut and an arms and military training embargo will be imposed only on the Taliban, not their armed opposition, which is supplied by Russia, Iran and India. All assets belonging to Osama bin Laden, who is thought to be living in Afghanistan, will be ordered frozen around the world.

[onyx]

Berger was involved in some other stuff too.
Was it the Loral thang with the Chinese?

[onyx]

WOW!
Good going Mo.

Please see Mo1's #215.

[palmer]

I know this for a fact having had to read some classifed papers that contained equations needed for some work I was doing...I would have to check into the room, memorize as much as I could, and then leave and write it down at my desk

Depending on the circumstances you could write down the equations and have someone review your notes to make sure they are unclassified. But you can't memorize classified information, leave the room, and then write it down.

[Mo1]

YEP!

Some dare call it treason

[Wolfstar]

We shall see!!!!!

I sure hope so. These sorts of probes of Democrats tend to disappear down a black hole.