Sandy Berger’s Heavy Lifting : The troubling details of the Archives document removal.

National Review ^ | July 21, 2004 | Byron York

[george76]

...what the former Clinton administration national-security adviser was trying to accomplish when he took highly classified documents from the National Archives.

Berger claims...he inadvertently put...thousands of pages of documents...

"When I was informed by the Archives that there were documents missing, I immediately returned everything I had except for a few documents that I apparently had accidentally discarded."

...evidence...casts doubt on Berger's explanation. First, ...Berger's admission that he hid the notes in his clothing is a clear sign of intent to conceal his actions.

Second, although Berger said he reviewed thousands of pages, he apparently homed in on a single document: the so-called "after-action report" on the Clinton administration's handling of the millennium plot of 1999/2000. Berger is said to have taken multiple copies of the same paper. He is also said to have taken those copies on at least two different days. There have been no reports that he took any other documents, which suggests that his choice of papers was quite specific, and not the result of simple carelessness.

Third, it appears that Berger's "inadvertent" actions clearly aroused the suspicion of the professional staff at the Archives. Staff members there are said to have seen Berger concealing the papers; they became so concerned that they set up what was in effect a small sting operation to catch him. And sure enough, Berger took some more.

It is not clear how many copies of the report exist. Nor is it clear why Berger was so focused on the document. If he simply wanted a copy, it seems that taking just one would have been sufficient. But it also seems that Berger should have known that he could not round up all the known copies of the document, since there were apparently other copies in other secure places.

[hauerf]

July 21, 2004?

[Ann Archy]

I think that "non-happening Millenium bombing documents" taking is a smoke screen....I think it had to do with 9-11 and Abel Danger and Jamie Gorelick and Hillary Clinton!!!

[cynicom]

There were two political legal zealots that were determined to bring down Richard Nixon at any cost. They were Sandy Berger and Hillary Clinton.

[Gaffer]

He should be executed at the former entrance to the WTC.

[small voice in the wilderness]

Well Well. It looks like the smoking gun is in Berger's pants.

..can I say that??...

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Makes me sick. We all know if this was a Republican who committed this foul deed, it would have been front page news until he was prosecuted. Instead, that bull$hit Karl Rove non-story got more ink than this ever did.

[SandRat]

Could it be that the paper burglar was trying to remove for destructions docs that would have implicated the BJC as knowing all about Able Danger? Could he have managed to succeed?

[Lucky Dog]

Whatever the case, the report was ultimately given to the September 11 Commission

Yes, and we have seen what a wonderful job that commission did!!! (/sarcasm)

It would appear that everyone associated with the Clinton Administration was utterly corrupt. Of course, that statement ignores that there are plenty who were not part of the Administration were equally as corrupt.

[konaice]

But it also seems that Berger should have known that he could not round up all the known copies of the document, since there were apparently other copies in other secure places.

Obviously Sandy wanted to remove the easily found documents till the obliging press conveniently forgot about it. I can not understand why he is not in Jail. I would be, if I committed that crime.

[Libloather]

...he apparently homed in on a single document: the so-called "after-action report" on the Clinton administration's handling of the millennium plot of 1999/2000. Berger is said to have taken multiple copies of the same paper.

To save his and *Crinton's sorry rear ends? This story ain't over by a long shot...

[johnny7]

Mob style... I like it.

Then again, there's a lot to be said for the multi-level, parking lot style capping... two-in-the-head with a silencer and no witnesses.

[RoseofTexas]

I want to know WHO gave him security clearance to remove those documents? It had to be an inside job!! THERE is no way in HELL, he could have just walked away with these TOP SECRET docs, sticking them in his kangaroo pouch without the security camera fixed on him. That security guard needs to have his butt whisked into jail for questioning!!

[Ditter]

I didn't read the whole article but I think I remember from a previous article that the copies that he took and destroyed had hand written notes written on them. Who's hand wrote the notes I don't know. If he was a Republican he would already be in prison.

[_Jim]

"When I was informed by the Archives that there were documents missing, I immediately returned everything I had except for a few documents that I apparently had accidentally discarded."

AND the ONLY approved means of 'discarding' classified docs is ... shredding in an approved shredder ... so did he simply 'discard' these docs or shred them as is required when disposing of classified docs?

This is all a ruse or 'cover' for something much bigger ...

[TommyDale]

I'm thinking that Berger removed the Able Danger files, and now has cut a deal to give them back in exchange for a lighter sentence. That could explain the silence from the media about his case, and the sudden information push about Able Danger to the public.

[MudSlide]

Didn't Sandy the Burgler get slapped on the wrist for this

[wmileo]

"But it also seems that Berger should have known that he could not round up all the known copies of the document, since there were apparently other copies in other secure places."

There is only one thing wrong with your assumption about Mr. Berger. You are assuming he acted rationally. It is possible that he acted impulsively the way a child acts when they have been caught doing something they should not be doing. I think he acted as an adult who is trying to cover up something, the discovery of which seems to him of greater concern than getting caught stuffing something down his pants. I think he knows that even the average person (and possibly the MSM as well) is smart enough to realize the following. If the Government(i.e. The President of the USA) knew one year before 9/11/2001 about terrorists in the USA planning something terrible, the average American would figure out that it was Clinton and not Bush who did nothing about it. I think that a low life like Sandy Berger would kiss the ass of Osama bin Laden's Camel in Macy's Window if he though it would draw our attention from the fact that President Clinton (and not Reagan or Bush) was asleep at the wheel.

[ModelBreaker]

Democrats pointed to the millennium case as an example of how a proper counterterrorism program should be run. But sources say the report suggests just the opposite. Clarke apparently concluded that the millennium plot was foiled by luck — a border agent in Washington State who happened to notice a nervous, sweating man who turned out to have explosives in his car — and not by the Clinton administration's savvy anti-terrorism work.

From the article. I don't want to get too tin-foily. So I am being cautious about connecting these events (Berger and Able Danger). But it sure feels like they have something to do with each other.

The text I quote from the article above sounds like what I have heard some kids used to do with their folks when they had done something really bad and the folks smelled something fishy--they would confess to a lesser offense. That would satisfy their folk's curiousity. Of course, this technique was only something I heard of :)

My instincts tell me we are getting played with this convenient release of information that is a little damaging to HRC.

[Sacajaweau]

Hillary made a comment about Berger's theft: Something about: "The date speaks for itself". I'll go back and find the quote because it gave me a new wrinkle....like "Of course that was what the documents were about".