Bernsten: The war in Iraq did not distract us from capturing OBL. Mentions another book written by someone in the military and you could come to that decision, but he doesn't believe that we were distracted from Tora Bora in any way.
Bernsten went back to Afghanistan on behalf of Cofer Black in 2000. Bernsten had been learning Persian. This was pre 9/11 in order to gain intel on AQ. The plan was to identify the location of key AQ leaders.
Russert: AQ blew up stuff in the 90's and so they were on the radar of the CIA pre 9/11?
Bernsten: There was a report in 2000 or 2001 (I couldn't capture it) that OBL was aware that CIA was in the region and the operation was aborted. None of the agents were concerned about the reports and begged Washington to let them stay in the region and DC didn't permit it.
Russert: Ports question about UAE. There's a report that princes from UAE were hunting with OBL and attempt to kill OBL was called off.
Bernsten: Wasn't in charge of that operation but he's heard of it. Lack of recognition of how dangerous OBL was. Names the terrorist attacks in the 90's and how we didn't respond. We were given lots of signals of impending catastrophe and we didn't respond. The Iranians interpret that as weakness now. Iran believes we aren't strong enough to deal with them. We have to demonstrate we mean business.
Russert: Cole. Neither Clinton nor Bush dealt with it.
Bernstein: Stunned me.
Bernstein: Republicans and Democrats have to stand together against Iran. People in the world believe that this president says what he means and means what he says.
Iran needs to see leaders of the Democrat party standing with the president on this.
We have the ability to deal with Iran. 2000 pound bunker busters.
Bernsten: We need Muslim Americans who have distinguished themselves in the WOT to help with translations.
We have 1,000 FBI officers in NYC. We probably don't have that many in the entire Middle East!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Russert: Everything I've read says you are the most valuable CIA agent but that this is the book the CIA doesn't want you to read.
Bernsten: The CIA has lost their minds. A lot of the info they tried to take out of my book, they'd briefed already for Woodward's book Bush's War. Many former directors have written books and I wonder if they'll give Tenet the same treatment they've given me. The paperback edition may be able to be written without the redactions. They took out open source information.
I didn't reveal sources or methods. The director of operation is the most important body in defending us in the WOT. I want people to recognize how important this is and to step up and join us in the CIA. I plan to get involved in politics. As a Republican. In the House. Not the Senate.
BERNSTEN PLANS TO RUN FOR CONGRESS AS A REPUBLICAN!!