9/11 Commission Set to Blame Bush, Clinton Gets a Pass

NewsMax.com ^ | 12/17/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

The chairman of the independent commission investigating the 9/11 attacks is hinting that he's prepared to place blame at the doorstep of the Bush White House for not acting on evidence that could have prevented the catastrophe.

But commission chairman, former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, has yet to examine key evidence indicating that President Clinton knew Osama bin Laden was planning to attack America, but failed to take appropriate action to stop him as the 9/11 operation was being organized.

"[9/11] was not something that had to happen," Kean told CBS News on Wednesday, adding that officials in the Bush administration had failed to protect America.

"There are people that, if I was doing the job, would certainly not be in the position they were in at that time because they failed. They simply failed," the top 9/11 prober said.

But key recordings of Mr. Clinton admitting that he turned down an offer for bin Laden's extradition to the U.S., "though we knew," in the ex-president words, "that he wanted to commit crimes against America" - have not been sought by the commission.

Clinton's comments were videotaped by the Long Island Association, where he made the stunning admission during the group's annual luncheon on Feb. 15, 2002. However, requests for the video later that year by NBC News, the Fox News Channel and NewsMax.com were refused by the business group.

It's not known whether the ex-president had an agreement with the LIA to prohibit distribution of their recording

NewsMax.com's audiotape of the event is the only publicly available recording of Clinton's remarks.

In July, 9/11 Commission spokesman Al Felzenberg told NewsMax that the ex-president's admission would likely be part of the probe. "Since this is obviously on the public record, I wouldn't be surprised if it came up," he explained.

But five months later, the Kean Commission has yet seek the original audiotape, which shows the ex-president detailing his decision to pass up what turned out to be America's best chance to avoid the 9/11 attacks.

"We'd been hearing that the Sudanese wanted America to start meeting with them again," Clinton told the LIA. "They released [bin Laden]. At the time, 1996, he had committed no crime against America, so I did not bring him here because we had no basis on which to hold him, though we knew he wanted to commit crimes against America."

Still, instead of exploring what turned out to be the worst foreign policy blunder in U.S. history, the Kean Commission now appears to have the Bush White House in the crosshairs.

"As you read the report, you're going to have a pretty clear idea what wasn't done and what should have been done," Kean told CBS. "They simply failed."

Hear the audiotape that was too hot to handle for the 9/11 Commission.

[thoughtomator]

Someone got Kean's FBI file?

[Prime Choice]

Funny how they give Clinton a pass. Looks like someone got their number, considering the facts of the matter.

[FlyVet]

That just about covers it. I heard Kean on the radio today with the "There are people that, if I was doing the job, would certainly not be in the position they were in at that time because they failed" remark. So, where was his sorry @$$ during reign of Nero Xlinton? Oh, he was silent? DemoTrash hack!

[hobson]

Maybe they interviewed Manzoor Ijaz. He was in direct contact with the Clinton Administration when Syria was trying to hand OBL over.

I think Carl is a bit hysterical.

[gr8eman]

FBI FILES!

[CalKat]

Why does everyone mention the FBI files every time a Republican does something that surprises people here, or that they disagree with? Do you just assume that that all Republicans have something to hide in their FBI files and are therefore subject to blackmail?

[gipper81]

Is this a serious question?

[CalKat]

Yes. I don't mean to be sarcastic, or a troublemaker, but I don't understand why everyone seems to think Republicans are held captive by what's in their FBI files that the Clintons took. If someone doesn't have anything to hide, they shouldn't be victims of blackmail by what's in their FBI files. I would think most Republicans in government don't have anything to hide.

[nopardons]

Okay newbie, here's the scoop on FBI files.

Everyone's FBI files contain what is known as " raw " informantion, which has been gathered from every source imaginable. Some people, whom they interview, can and often do, supply rumor as fact; even lie about the person being asked about. And yes, a lot of GOPers, just like everyone else, have things in their pasts, that they don't want made public.

[gipper81]

Ok, fair enough. But, let's back up a bit here. What were you doing during the 90s and what are your thoughts on the abject korruption that was the klinton administration?

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[nutmeg]

ping!

[CalKat]

In the 90s I didn't pay too much attention to politics, as I am a single mother and there was not much time for internet, TV and reading. Now that my son is older and less demanding of my time, I'm paying more attention.

I think Bill Clinton was corrupt, but don't necessarily buy in to all of the theories found here and places like NewsMax.

[yevgenie]

I have an FBI file. Or, more correctly, the FBI has a file on little old me =).

[gipper81]

Very good. I applaud your citizenship.

Since you're interested in learning about this, here's quiz question/homework question 1: Do you know who Henry Hyde is?

[CyberAnt]

Excuse me .. the Clintons took 900 FBI files when they first got elected. I've never heard any information which suggested that those files were ever returned.

Oh yeah .. one of Nixon's staffers went to jail for taking just 1 file!

[america-rules]

"Excuse me .. the Clintons took 900 FBI files when they first got elected. I've never heard any information which suggested that those files were ever returned."

Weren't they found on the kitchen table in the white house?