October 20, 2003

Thomas H. Kean
CHAIR

Lee H. Hamilton
The Honorable Richard L. Armitage
VICE CHAIR Deputy Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Richard Ben-Veniste
Washington, DC 20520
Max Cleland
Dear Mr. Armitage:
Frederick F. Fielding

Jamie S. Gorelick As you know, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United
States (better known as the 9-11 Commission) is directed by statute to prepare a
Slade Gorton
full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11,
John F. Lehman 2001 terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate
response to, the attacks. The Commission is also chartered to identify and
Timothy J. Roemer evaluate lessons learned and provide recommendations to prevent future acts of
James R. Thompson terrorism upon our nation.

Public Law 107-306 authorizes the Commission to secure needed information

Philip D. Zelikow
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR directly from any agency. Thus far, with the strong support of you and your
Department, the Commission has compiled an extensive written record numbering
more than 2 million pages. Building on this record, meetings with senior
policymakers are essential to developing an authoritative narrative of the
September 11, 2001 attacks. Your perspective is vital to the Commission's
understanding of 9-11 and its immediate aftermath, and we are therefore writing
to request an interview with you during the week of January 11, 2004.

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

• USG efforts to combat terrorist organizations, especially al Qaeda, from

January 20, 2001 to September 20, 2001. This includes the State
Department's overall role as well as your participation in relevant Principals'
and Deputies' Committee meetings. It should also include, inter alia, your
views of the effectiveness of U.S. counterterrorism policy.

• The State Department's counterterrorism policy in general with a particular

emphasis on diplomatic instruments considered and used to combat terrorism,
from January 20, 2001 to September 20, 2001. This would include U.S.
pressure on Pakistan and the Taliban to address the al Qaeda presence in
Afghanistan.

301 7th Street SW, Room 5125

Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-11 commission.gov
The Honorable Richard L. Armitage
October 20, 2003
Page 2

• The State Department's diplomatic relations with other countries (especially

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan) in connection with terrorism,
from January 20, 2001 to September 20, 2001. This would include your
meetings and communications with officials from such countries in
connection with counterterrrorism. This would also include meetings during
your September 2001 travels to Russia.

• The role of, and your interaction with, the Office of the Coordinator for
Counterterrorism, both before and after the September 11 attacks.

• The State Department's recommended responses to the U.S.S. Cole bombing.

• The State Department's visa issuance policy and practice in the context of
Counterterrorism.

• The Clinton-Bush transition period as it related to Counterterrorism policy.

This includes all Counterterrorism briefings you received during that period.

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

We are, of course, interested in any other issues you deem relevant to the
Commission's understanding of 9-11 specifically and Counterterrorism policy
generally, as well as your thoughts on policy recommendations for the future.
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.

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

hearing to be held in Washington, DC, on February 23, 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

Daniel Levin, U.S. Department of Justice

Karl W. Hofrnann, Executive Secretary