Thomas H.

Kean October 20, 2003

CHAIR

Lee H. Hamilton
VICE CHAIR
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Richard Ben-Veniste President, Texas A&M University
1246 Texas A&M University
Max Cleland
College Station, TX 77843-1246
Frederick F. Fielding
Dear Mr. Gates:
Jamie S. Oorelick

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

Philip D. Zelikow The Commissioners and staff would welcome the opportunity to have an informal
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR policy discussion with you sometime during November or December. We are
certain that your insights will help us considerably as we formulate policy
recommendations concerning how the Intelligence Community (1C) is managed and
performs collection, analysis, and warning. Potential topics include:

• Whether organizational or other changes are needed in the 1C, such as

strengthening the authorities of the Director of Central Intelligence.
• Challenges posed by terrorism to the tradecraft of collection and analysis.
• Who should be responsible for warning of terrorist attacks.
• The effectiveness of Congressional oversight over the 1C.

If you are amenable to such a meeting, please have a member of your staff contact
Melissa Coffey at (202) 331-4080 to discuss the appropriate arrangements. We look
forward to hearing from you.

With best regards,

Thomas H. Kean Lee H. Hamilton

Chair Vice Chair

301 7lh Street SW, Room 5125

Washington, DC 20407
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545
www.9-llcommission.gov