AP: Clinton Adviser Probed in Terror Memos [Sandy Berger is the focus of a criminal investigation]

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[Sub-Driver]

AP: Clinton Adviser Probed in Terror Memos

3 minutes ago Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!

By JOHN SOLOMON

WASHINGTON - President Clinton (news - web sites)'s national security adviser, Sandy Berger, is the focus of a criminal investigation after admitting he removed highly classified terrorism documents from a secure reading room during preparations for the Sept. 11 commission hearings, The Associated Press has learned.

Berger's home and office were searched earlier this year by FBI (news - web sites) agents armed with warrants. Some drafts of a sensitive after-action report on the Clinton administration's handling of al-Qaida terror threats during the December 1999 millennium celebration are still missing.

Berger and his lawyer said Monday night he knowingly removed handwritten notes he had taken from classified anti-terror documents he reviewed at the National Archives by sticking them in his jacket and pants. He also inadvertently took copies of actual classified documents in a leather portfolio, they said.

"I deeply regret the sloppiness involved, but I had no intention of withholding documents from the commission, and to the contrary, to my knowledge, every document requested by the commission from the Clinton administration was produced," Berger said in a statement to the AP.

Berger served as Clinton's national security adviser for all of the president's second term and most recently has been informally advising Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites). Clinton asked Berger last year to review and select the administration documents that would be turned over to the commission.

The FBI searched Berger's home and office with warrants earlier this year after employees of the National Archives told agents they believed they witnessed Berger put documents into his clothing while reviewing sensitive Clinton administration papers, officials said.

When asked, Berger said he returned some of the classified documents, which he found in his office, and all of the handwritten notes he had taken from the secure room, but said he could not locate two or three copies of the highly classified millennium terror report.

[theophilusscribe]

doesn't know where they are

Sure. After he shredded them, burned them, and cast the ashes into the Atlantic ocean, he really doesn't know where they are . . . . unless you count the ones he sold to _______________ (enter name of enemy of American interests) in order to discredit the "evil" Bush administration. </ sarcasm>

[NavySEAL F-16]

Now, how is the 9/11 Commission ever going to reach a conclusion! (sarcasm)

[windchime]

Fox News reporting this story now.

[mass55th]

Alot of good those documents did for him. He still sounded like his head was up his a$$ when he testified in front of the committee.

[cyncooper]

Isn't there some way this can be kept in the forefront?

An indictment would be nice, for starters.

[nopardons]

I thought so too......but FNC just did this story on their mid-hour newsbreak.

[demkicker]

Friends, we have found our pig. This one won't take the fall like so many others have. If there is dirt on Bill/Hill, Sandy will squeal before he becomes some one's prison babe.

Well first he better get himself some serious bodyguards and protection. Otherwise, the next thing ya know is we'll all be hearing how he accidentally shot himself in the back of his head.

[NavySEAL F-16]

Does anyone have a transcript of his testimony before the commission. REWRITE. REWRITE.

[prairiebreeze]

Gorelick is next.

From your keyboard to God's ears. How I'd love to see that traitor brought down.

Prairie

[nopardons]

He'll learn........come November;if not sooner. :-)

[Josh in PA]

Dems are panicking right now... hahaha, this is big big trouble for Lurch..

I think this story has enough legs to stay on front pages over the DNC convention.


Crooks

[Dog]

Berger is on the platform committee for the convention....and is called a key foreign policy advisor to Kerry in several articles.

[Miss Marple]

As others have surmised, I am certain Berger was looking for certain documents to destroy, and took a bunch (later returned) to cover for the few which he deliberately destroyed.

This is a very sloppy move, and one which smacks of desperation. I am wondering what was on those documents. (Oil for Food, money from Marc Rich, directions from the Chinese, advance warning on Al Qaeda, etc. etc.....lots of choices.)

Fox News just covered this at the bottom of the hour.

[jra]

This 'non-partisan' commission is a bunch of hooey.

First Gorelick is a panelist, then Clarke's bullcrap testimony, The Joe Wilson fiasco, now Sandy Berger's trying to abscond with Top Secret documents?

This commission is a bunch of losers, hacks, and liberal nuts.

[76834]

You got that right.
But then he might accidently get ran over by a "danged ole train"

Wonder if any of this will stick to Lurch. If so this one might be the kicker

[OldFriend]

LOLOL.....oh can't you see the whole thing now......shoving documents down his pants.......INADVERTENTLY.

[prairiebreeze]

I sent this around to my email list already. It probably won't make much of the lamestream.

Well, well.......

I loved some other FReepers comment that putting notes about classified materials in your pants gives a whole new definition to covering your a$$.

*grin*

[TomGuy]

PISANO posted "the Clinton's illegal enterprise is still in action."

Something just struck me....

Why was there a rush to get the 9-11 Commission going and get it concluded?

Well duh!!! Hillary needs the 9-11 cleared before she runs. She can't have the possibility of any loose ends showing up, especially if any could touch her--that would end her political career in a hurry. Gorelick is on the panel to ensure that doesn't happen by cleaning up any potential mess now.

[theophilusscribe]

Samuel L. Berger Statement To 911 Commission
Friday, 26 March 2004, 2:23 pm
Press Release: Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the US




TESTIMONY OF SAMUEL L. BERGER
BEFORE THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS UPON THE UNITED STATES

March 24, 2004

Mr. Chairman and Commissioners:

Chairman Kean, Vice-Chairman Hamilton, Members and Staff of the Commission, families and friends thank you for the opportunity to share with you my reflections on the formation and coordination of national policy to fight terrorism, as well as my recommendations for the future.

The pain of September 11 still is present in our hearts. Plans to rebuild on the World Trade Center site remind us on the one hand of our nation’s resilience, but also of the losses that can never be replaced and the voids that will never be filled. We have an obligation to explore the events that led up to that terrible morning. In order to look forward, we have to look back – to ask tough questions and demand honest answers. For all the efforts of successive administrations, September 11 was not prevented. We were hit. It was horrible. That’s a blunt and tragic fact. And all of us want to learn the right lessons to make sure it never happens again.

At the same time, as your intensive investigation surely has revealed, it is easier to see how puzzle pieces fit together when you have in hand the final picture. History is written through a rearview mirror but it unfolds through a foggy windshield. Our challenge now is to sharpen, to the greatest extent we can, our ability to look forward, because the dangers and opportunities our country must confront lie before us, not behind. . . .

The rest can be found here:http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00364.htm

[Reactionary]

"I deeply regret the sloppiness involved, but I had no intention of withholding documents from the commission, and to the contrary, to my knowledge, every document requested by the commission from the Clinton administration was produced," Berger said in a statement to the AP."

Holy smokes! Berger stole classified information to prevent it from being seen by the 9/11 Commission?