SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

November 21,2002

MEMORANDUM

TO: IG Mr. Clark Kent Ervin

THRU: OIG/ISP Robert Peterson

FROM: QIG/ISP/CE Charles A. Anderson

SUBJECT: Congressman Wolfs Inquiry of 11/6/02

This memorandum provides background information for today's 2 pm discussion session

regarding an appropriate response to Congressman Frank Wolfs letter.

The Congressman's request essentially focuses on a review of details surrounding the

issuance of visas to the September 11 terrorists. To a large degree the October GAO
Report on Border Security has already covered much of this ground. An area of concern
not adequately covered by the report is the role of Ambassadors and DCMs in
encouraging and pressuring visa officers to issue visas "for political reasons." This
directly involves post management at Jeddah and Riyadh, which apparently created an
atmosphere of intimidation encouraging the across-the -board issuance of visas to Saudi
nationals.

In order to proceed with our inquiry .we plan to:

• Consult with GAO and review their files related to Wolfs specific questions.
• Review with CA/VO the accepted and existing visa procedures in place prior to
September 11th.
O * Discuss with the Congressman's staffers which specific issues he wants covered.
• Perhaps reinterview those visa officers who issued visas to the terrorists (at least
one has now hired an attorney to defend her interests).
• Perhaps conduct site visits to the posts at which the visas were issued (Jeddah,
Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Berlin)