Freeh: I Turned to Bush After Clinton Blocked Khobar Terror Probe

Newsmax ^ | Tuesday May 20, 2003; 9:32 a.m. EDT | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[cody32127]

In a blistering indictment of his old boss's negligence in fighting the war on terrorism, former FBI Director Louis Freeh charged Tuesday that ex-President Clinton was so unhelpful during his agency's investigation into the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing that he had to turn to former President Bush.

Writing in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal, Freeh described the Clinton White House as "unable or unwilling to help the FBI" gain access to key witnesses in the Khobar case because it feared exposing the role of Hezbollah and its state sponsor, Iran.

"The only direction from the Clinton administration regarding Iran was to order the FBI to stop photographing and fingerprinting official Iranian delegations entering the U.S. because it was adversely impacting our 'relationship' with Tehran," Freeh complained.

"The FBI recommended a criminal indictment that would identify Iran as the sponsor of the Khobar bombing," the one-time top G-man revealed. "Finding a problem for every solution, the Clinton administration refused to support a prosecution."

In yet another stunning admission, the former FBI Director said that he was so frustrated by President Clinton's refusal to help that he sought out Clinton's predecessor, who, though out of office for more than three years, promptly took action.

"After months of inaction, I finally turned to the former President Bush, who immediately interceded with [Saudi] Crown Prince Abdullah on the FBI's behalf," Freeh revealed.

"Mr. Bush personally asked the Saudis to let the FBI do one-on-one interviews of the detained Khobar bombers. The Saudis immediately acceded."

Thanks to Bush's intercession Freeh said his agents were given "direct access to the Saudi detainees."

"This was the investigative breakthrough for which we had been waiting for several years," the former FBI director proclaimed.

Explaining why news of Bush's role in helping the FBI while Clinton sat idle had remained a secret all these years, Freeh explained that the 41st president, "typically disclaimed any credit for his critical intervention."

The prosecution and criminal indictment for the Khobar Towers bombers, "had to wait for a new administration," he noted.

Of Bush's son, Freeh observed, "This is a president who is serious about fighting and winning the war on terrorism."

[Savage Beast]

Post #11: Well said, Helms.

[aristeides]

During his two years as Director of Central Intelligence, James Woolsey was able to get only two or three one-on-one meetings with Clinton. He regularly sought such meetings, and was regularly turned down, so much that it became a joke in the Clinton White House.

[Revelation 911]

Of Bush's son, Freeh observed, "This is a president who is serious about fighting and winning the war on terrorism."

is this the same Loius Freeh from Ruby Ridge fame (scratching head quizically) -

Smart guy - he knows where his bread iis buttered - maybe thats why he was so slow to leave when GW took office

[skinkinthegrass]

"The last administration never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.....except when it came to romps in the Oval Office.'

...except when it came to romps in the Oval Office...another Clintoon Fact, ABCNNBCBS won't report...they'll say "old news" :|

[Savage Beast]

"20 years from now there is going to be so much stuff out on this guy. (Clinton) It's going to be fun to watch."

But keep an emesis basin handy.

[skinkinthegrass]

:)..funny..All good humor, must have a sense of truth. :|

[sharktrager]

He had a brief of a brief?

[winstonchurchill]

is this the same Loius Freeh from Ruby Ridge fame (scratching head quizically) - Smart guy - he knows where his bread iis buttered - maybe thats why he was so slow to leave when GW took office

Now I am no supporter of Freeh (my son is an FBI agent), but keep in mind that someone had to take the job of FBI director under the most corrupt president in history. If Freeh had not taken it (presumably with his eyes wide open), he might have felt it would have gone to someone closer to the corrupt Clintons.

I'm certainly not suggesting he was the best choice (after all, Ruby Ridge, Waco, Elian, etc shout loudly against the dark days of the FBI), but he may not have been the worst we could have had. After all, we all know there is no depth below which Clinton (and his evil hag) would not go.

[sarasota]

Not unusual to pass it by yet another pair of eyes for "editing".

[thinden]

this may be a good "first step" for louie.

suppose he'll come clean about OKC next?

[sharktrager]

Shouldn't the head on the country's intelligence community be trusted to determine what is and isn't important enough to tell the President?

[Dr. Scarpetta]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003518

[Savage Beast]

Thanks, Smed (post #20).

"On May 1, our commander in chief stood on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln--where he rightly should stand--and reiterated the Bush doctrine:

'Any person involved in committing or planning terrorist attacks against the American people becomes an enemy of this country, and a target of American justice.'"

"I...met with the families of our lost Khobar heroes and promised that we would do whatever was necessary to bring these terrorists to American justice."

You can keep that promise, Louis, by doing everything you can to reelect President Bush and to bring this message to the American people and to all the people of the world!

Your passion in doing this should match the dedication of the FBI agents who reverently combed through the Khobar Towers wreckage in 120-degree heat.

(Let's hope Louis is up to the task.)

[Squantos]

I think the point here is to understand we as a nation will "always" have enemies who want to destroy us. If said enemies dwell in the top levels of our own government and are found to be aiding an providing comfort to them then said "clintonistas style polidiots" should be hung by the neck till they are dead.

I can well understand enemies from afar but enemies that take a constitutional oath to keep our nation safe and allow such as described in this story to happen to further their own political future should meet meet with capital punishment.

Too many polidiots get to walk away from their crimes against our nation and die of old age . They need to be held accountable .

Just my opinion........Stay Safe !

[auggy]

Didn't Freeh know that Clinton was too busy getting BJ's, and giving the Red Chinese our top secret military information.

[TruthNtegrity]

Bumping for incredulity at the extent to which Clinton endangered this Country of ours. I long to see his Obit soon - and that of his screeching shrew of a wife.

[BIGZ]

Susan Estrich wrote a scathing article on the Clintons to get out of the limelight, if the demos were to have a chance in 2004. In the article she stated Hildabeast would never be president. Estrich is a law proffesor at usc and a staunch liberal.

[Savage Beast]

MESSAGE TO LOUIS: Be careful, Louis. Be very careful! "ACCIDENTS" can happen! (You know what I mean.)

[A_perfect_lady]

Thanks! Yeah, I know who Estrich is, she's that Charles Rangel-in-a-wig smirking witch who causes me to fumble madly for the mute button when she crops up on FOX.

[BIGZ]

You are right, but it will only appear in the WSJ and not the main stream media. The WSJ is great but only read by a select group, most of whom are conservative.