Thomas H.

Kean October 24, 2003

CHAIR

Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
The Honorable Louis J. Freeh
Richard Ben-Veniste Senior Vice Chairman and General Counsel
MBNA America Bank N.A.
Max Cleland
1100 King Street
Frederick F. Fielding Wilmington, DE 19884-0154
Jamie S. Gorelick Dear Mr. Freeh:
Slade Gorton
The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (better
John F. Lehman known as the 9-11 Commission) is directed by statute to prepare a full and
Timothy J. Roemer
complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11,2001
terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate response
James R. Thompson to, the attacks. The Commission is also chartered to identify and evaluate lessons
learned and provide recommendations to prevent future acts of terrorism upon our
Philip D. Zelikow nation.
EXEC--MTIVE DIRECTOR

Interviews with former senior policymakers are essential to developing an

authoritative narrative of the September 11, 2001 attacks. As the former Director
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, your perspective is vital to the
Commission's collective understanding of 9-11, and we are therefore writing to
request an interview with you during the week of January 5, 2004.

The Commission wishes to discuss a wide range of topics with you, including (but
not limited to) your description, analysis, and assessment of:

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation's role in formulating and implementing

the USG's overall counterterrorism policy from during your tenure. This
includes the Bureau's participation in Principals', Deputies', and
Counterterrorism Security Group (CSG) meetings

• The FBI's structure, management, and priorities with respect to combating

international terrorist organizations, especially al Qaeda.

• The FBI's awareness of and reaction to the growing threat from militant
Islamic organizations, particularly al Qaeda, during your tenure, with an
emphasis on the summer of 2001.

• The evolution of relevant legal authorities and guidance regarding the FBI's
counterterrorism activities, including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
301 7 th Street SW, Room 5125
Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-11 commission.gov
The Honorable Louis J. Freeh
October 24, 2003
Page 2

Act, the Attorney General's Guidelines, and the balance between security and
the protection of civil liberties.

• The FBI's role in the intelligence community, including the collection,

analysis, and distribution of intelligence relating to foreign terrorist
organizations, particularly al Qaeda.

• The FBI's relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency, with particular
emphasis on information sharing.

• The Department of Justice's role in setting the FBI's priorities, including its
structure, management, and resources with respect to combating international
terrorist organizations, especially al Qaeda

• The FBI's information technology infrastructure and ongoing modernization

efforts.

• The evolution of the organizational structure of the FBI's Counterterrorism

Division including, but not limited to, the role of analysts, information
sharing, and the relationship of Headquarters to Field Offices.

• The FBI's role abroad, including its relationship with other USG entities and
foreign government entities and the role of the Legal Attaches.

• The ramifications and advisability of separating the domestic intelligence

functions of the FBI from its law enforcement functions.

• The FBI's role in immigration and border security-related law enforcement

efforts relating to counterterrorism, and in watchlisting terrorists with border
security agencies.

You may wish to review notes and other materials you may have to refresh your
recollection of these matters prior to the interview.

We are, of course, interested in any other issues you deem important to the
Commission's understanding of 9-11 specifically and counterterrorism policy
generally, as well as your thoughts on policy recommendations for the future.
The Commission anticipates that classified information will be discussed at this
private session, requiring that the interview take place at the Commission's 2100
K Street, NW, location. Members of the Commission may attend, but the
interview will be conducted by Commission staff. It is the general policy of the
Commission to record interviews.
The Honorable Louis J. Freeh
October 24, 2003
Page3

This proposed interview is separate from your requested participation in a public

hearing to be held in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2004. You will receive a
separate invitation to testify in the coming weeks, and we hope that you will agree
to appear before the Commission for this important public forum.

Please have a member of your staff contact Daniel Leopold at (202) 331-4064 to
indicate your availability for such an interview and to relay any questions you or
your staff may have. Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation with
the Commission and its staff in this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Thomas H. Kean Lee H. Hamilton

Chair Vice Chair