Miers on The "war on terror" and 9/11

[julialnyc]

Caleb, from California writes:
Dear Harriet,With the 911 Commission report stating there was no linkable evidence between Sept. 11th and Iraq, why are the two often grouped together? Shouldn't they be considered two separate fights?

Thanks.

Harriet Miers
Hello, Caleb. I believe you must be referring to some language in the Report that can be misread. Like the Administration, the Commission did not find evidence that, before 9/11, these long-established ties between Iraq and al Qaeda had evolved into a "collaborative operational relationship" for "carrying out attacks against the United States." (chapter 2, § 2.5, page 66) However, the Commission's report catalogs some of the extensive contacts between Iraq and al Qaeda. Here are some: "Bin Ladin was also willing to explore possibilities for cooperation with Iraq." (chapter 2, § 2.4, page 61) Saddam’s regime "tolerated and may have even helped" al Qaeda sponsored groups in northern Iraq including Ansar al-Islam, a group tied to senior al Qaeda associate Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who continues to be responsible for terrorist attacks inside Iraq today. (chapter 2, § 2.4, page 61) "Bin Ladin himself met with a senior Iraqi intelligence officer in Khartoum in late 1994 or early 1995." (chapter 2, § 2.4, page 61) Bin Ladin proposed cooperation to Saddam Hussein’s regime in 1997 but was rebuffed. "In mid-1998, the situation reversed: it was Iraq that reportedly took the initiative" during a time of "intensifying U.S. pressure." (chapter 2, § 2.5, page 66) The Commission report documents a March 1998 visit to Iraq by two al Qaeda members to meet with Iraqi intelligence. It also documents a July 1998 Iraqi delegation that traveled to Afghanistan to meet first with the Taliban and then with Bin Ladin. (chapter 2, § 2.5, page 66) Iraqi officials offered Bin Ladin "a safe haven in Iraq" in 1999. (chapter 2, § 2.5, page 66) The scope of the Commission’s review limits the reporting on post-9/11 events, such as the activities of Zarqawi and his associates in Baghdad. So, no, I don’t think they should be considered separately. They are both part of the War on Terror.

another question....

Karrin, from OHIO writes:
Where were you on September 11th and what did you do?

Harriet Miers
Karrin, I was traveling with the President on September 11, 2001. So I started out in Florida. I was the President's Staff Secretary at that point in time, so I continued to do those duties. I was responsible for making sure the remarks he prepared to give to the Nation from Louisiana were properly prepared for him. It took some time, and the President saw me hurrying to give them to him. He said, "Good hustle!" He made me feel good that I was contributing. Typical. That was a remarkable day I will never forget. I will never forget how strong the President's response was to something so dreadful and so unexpected.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20040910.html

more

[Why Syzygy]

1. No wonder

she thinks George is so "brilliant".

"Good hustle"? "STRONG" response?

This chick is swiss cheese.

[Punkingal]

2. OMG....

"He made me feel good that I was contributing. Typical.":puke: She sounds as worshipful as Condi.

[julialnyc]

3. right????

stars in her eyes much?

[glitch]

4. Dear Ms. Miers, are you now or have you ever been addicted to prescription

sleep aides? I understand they are very popular among your co-workers, and some have a side effect on brain function, memory and analysis in particular, sometimes described as a "chemical lobotomy".

[Bucky]

5. "Good hustle"? I thought that was Rove's job.

Bein' president's a lot like bein' a soccer coach. It's hard work. You gotta help them li'l rascals feel good about the job they're doin'. And that's hard work.

[Beam Me Up]

6. Perhaps she has the inside scoop on 9/11 and is blackmailing the admin. n/

t

[Neecy]

7. oh, my

I've known seventh graders with better writing skills.

Karrin, I was traveling with the President on September 11, 2001. So I started out in Florida. I was the President's Staff Secretary at that point in time, so I continued to do those duties.

One can only hope her secretary answered these letters (although you'd think she'd review them first!)