corrente

Bush won't testify under oath, won't talk to the entire panel, and the extra time the commission got, by the grace of Denny Hastert, is to be used to "close down the commission." And even Condi Rice is stiffing them.

The federal commission investigating 9/11 continues to reject the conditions President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have set for giving testimony, but panel members gave no indication yesterday how they would proceed if the White House did not change its position.

The commission, meanwhile, obtained a commitment from House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) to bring up legislation as early as this week that will give the panel an extra two months, until July 26, to issue its final report on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. The Senate approved the time extension Friday.

Following a commission meeting yesterday, its chairman, Thomas Kean, said the White House is insisting Bush and Cheney will submit only to closed-door interviews of one hour each. Kean also said they want to meet with only him and vice chairman Lee Hamilton, not all 10 members of the panel.

Kean stopped short of outlining the commission's options if the White House continues to turn down its requests. Asked what would happen if the White House remained adamant, Kean said, "We'll see."

Uh, I think I already see.

Neither Bush and Cheney would be under oath, and much of their testimony might be classified and kept secret.

Commission member Timothy Roemer said the panel is urging the White House to "offer full and complete cooperation." Roemer, a Democrat, said if the White House has nothing to hide, Bush and Cheney should be more than willing to tell their stories to all the commissioners without limitations.

Kean, the former Republican governor of New Jersey, said the panel also is planning private interviews in the near-future with former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore, without such restrictions as those demanded by Bush and Cheney.

Gosh. I wonder why Clinton and Gore will testify without limitation, and Bush won't?

In addition, the commission has asked national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to reverse course and testify at a public hearing later this month. Rice testified in private session on Feb. 7 but has declined an invitation to appear in an open session.

The White House said the issue of Rice's testimony concerns the constitutional principle of separation of powers. "As a matter of law and practice, White House staff have not testified before legislative bodies," National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack said. "This is not a matter of Dr. Rice's preferences."

Kean said he gave Hastert assurances "July 26 is the absolute limit."

Giving up his leverage....

"We hope to get it out before that, but in no case after that," said Kean.

As part of the negotiations with Hastert, Kean and Hamilton made a commitment that the extra 30 days would be used to close down operations and not continue the inquiry.

Roemer said that for all to go according to plan, the White House and administration agencies would have to cooperate and "not stonewall" the commission. He said this will include discussions with the White House over release of important classified documents.
(via the Newark Star Ledger)

What a farce.

Why do the families stand for it?