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."

[pinz-n-needlez]

According to Hastert's statement, Sandy 'inadvertently' stuffed his socks more than once. The staff had a pattern to see and marked documents which were also taken. That would suggest at least four or five sessions of treasonous thievery.

Wonder what threat/bribe came from the Clintons to make him destroy his own reputation this way?
Pinz

[Bob J]

Splaining? He should be in stripes.

[Wolfstar]

Thanks for the ping to this, Onyx.

[Rebelbase]

"There is blood in the water on this one and I think the Republicans have been waiting for this to come out"

Can you name one example where the Bush Administration Republicans have ever eaten democrat red meat?

Nothing will come of this, same old same old, yawn and stretch.

[hershey]

How amusing. I wonder if the Clintons have already offered him lots and lots of money under the table to keep his mouth shut. Hmmmm? If so, then how long before someone else in on those meetings decides to try a little blackmail?

[epluribus_2]

He will say he did it "For the Children..."

[NutCrackerBoy]

If it turns out that unique documents are indeed missing, then this is going to get big.

I think the docs were not unique, but taking them out of the reading room would cause 9/11 commissioners and others never to see them.

[GUIDO]

CLINTON KNEW!!!! WHAT DID HE KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT!!!heheheheheh BUSTED sandy baby, and I hope you are willing to talk and talk loud and clear from where your orders came from.

I am so glad the REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP came out and made a statement bout this. BOUT TIME they show some %all$. If this had been a republican sneaking this info out the rats would of been on it like flies on $hit.

[hershey]

Pantsgate? Socksgate?

[Conservative4Ever]

Could we call this Dockersgate?

ummmm....I was thinking more of Briefsgate. Fruit of the Room gate....I'll stop now.

Red

[gathersnomoss]

You have nailed it. It is hard for me to believe that 9/11 was just a blip on the radar. No fury, no concern, no respect for those who gave their lives during the attack and during this war.

We live in troubling times. I pray for the future of my family and this country. I just don't understand how the obvious is ignored in this country.

[grumple]

They want the truth.

The problem is, the American people used to be heard. Will they be heard this time? Will they put together their version of the million mom march in the form of a million really pissed off people when it comes to government corruption, distortion and cover up when it comes to the Clinton administration? Or will they remain complacently pissed and post a bunch of forum messages that all say "heads should roll..." ??

Wake up, America, or continue to let yourself be RE-defined....

[flair2000]

It’s about darn time Ashcroft got off his duff and prosectuted these people. For the last three and a half years, the Bush administration has brushed aside the criminal conduct of the Clintonistas as to not look too partisan. We put up with eight years of this garbage when the Clinton’s were in, and their people are still engaged in high crimes to this day. Could you imagine the outrage if this was Condi Rice or VP Cheney stuffing secret documents down their pants and socks?

[NeoCaveman]

Wow. A Pubbie with cojones.

Between this and his "McCain who" comment I am really liking the Speaker of the House.

Hastert 2008 anyone?

[Quilla]

Someone said Berger & ?? were with Bubba when he testified.

I believe ?? may have been Bruce Lindsey, covering Clinton's behind yet again.

[TruBluKentuckian]

I think the docs were not unique, but taking them out of the reading room would cause 9/11 commissioners and others never to see them.

I am seeing that being said in news reports, so in essence it serves the same purpose. This is where the story will either explode or wither on the vine. I'm hoping for an explosion.

[gathersnomoss]

"This will keep getting bigger...."

I'll bet that it doesn't based on the history of Clinton/Kerry. What is your wager?

[hershey]

I think you're absolutely right, and I suspect the press will decide to throw their liberal leanings overboard if they think this will end up huge. Reputations could be made with this. And unmade. They'll be terrified that Brit Hume or some other excellent Fox journalist will get the skinny first.

[Conservative4Ever]

Once...just once...I wish the Republicans would stop with the handwringing and platitudes and do something. Really do something. Act like attack dogs and the majority party in congress they are. Stop playing nice, when the dems are never, repeat never, going to play nice.

Red

[Badeye]

"mainstream media isn't going to invite Hastert, silly."

If it was any other pol, I'd agree. But the fact is Hastert is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He can pick up the phone and appear on any network he wants.

Going to be interesting to see if he does so. Like I've said, I expect this to be "THE STORY" for the next few days. There just isn't anything else going on right now.

I do find it amusing CBS News reports via the radio are highlighting the plight of Chickens at KFC, THEN reporting on The Burglar's adventures at the National Archives.....LOL!