Prominent Republican Challenges President Bush's Vow to "Uncover Every Detail" of September 11th Attacks
Frustrated by Bush officials withholding key documents requested by the bipartisan Commission investigating the September 11th attack, 9-11 Commission chairman Thomas Kean, the former Republican Governor of New Jersey, is challenging President Bush's vow to "uncover every detail and learn every lesson of September 11th." Kean said yesterday, "Any document that has to do with this investigation cannot be beyond our reach."
When he signed the legislation establishing the commission, Bush said, "[the] investigation should carefully examine all the evidence and follow all the facts, wherever they lead." But several members of the 9-11 Commission, both Democrats and Republicans, have expressed concern over the level of cooperation they are receiving from several executive branch agencies.
The commission issued its first subpoena last week to the Federal Aviation Administration, five months after it initially requested documents relating to all tracking of the hijacked airliners on 9-11. Commission staff learned in subsequent interviews of additional information that had not been provided, after being told that document production was complete. According to Kean, more subpoenas may be necessary.
Several commission members said the delays could result in the panel not completing its work by the required date of May 27, 2004. The May deadline is the 18-month limit for the panel, a compromise struck after the White House had requested a time limit of a year for the commission.
The 9-11 Commission's frustration represents the latest example of the Bush Administration's penchant for secrecy, which is drawing criticism from liberals and conservatives. Notes Larry Klayman, chairman of the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch: "This Administration is the most secretive of our lifetime, even more secretive than the Nixon Administration. They don't believe the American people or Congress have any right to information."
The reality here is that the Bush Administration never intended that a full, fair, and open examination of the evidence would ever take place. Of course not, because were they to relinquish control of the process, the evidence might lead to uncomfortable questions being asked. For an Administration led by a control freak, that would be an unacceptable result.
