Thomas H.

Kean February 26, 2004

CHAIR

Lee H. Hamilton The Honorable Paul H. O'Neill

VICE CHAIR
Chief Executive Officer
Richard Ben-Veniste Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative
650 Smithfield Street
Fred F. Fielding
Centre City Tower, Suite 2150
Jamie S. Gorelick Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Slade Gorton Dear Secretary O'Neill:
Bob Kerrey
As you know, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United
John F. Lehman States (better known as the 9-11 Commission) is directed by statute to prepare a
full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11,
Timothy J. Roemer
2001 terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate
James R. Thompson response to, the attacks. The Commission is also chartered to identify and
evaluate lessons learned and provide recommendations to prevent future acts of
terrorism upon our nation.
Philip D. Zelikow
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Interviews with former senior officials are essential to developing an authoritative
narrative of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Your perspective is vital to the
Commission's work, and we are therefore writing to request an interview with
you in Washington, DC, during the week of March 15, 2004.

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

• The Treasury Department's response to the 9-11 attacks, including your own
actions, advice and decisions in the aftermath of the attacks;

• Your role in the closure and reopening of the financial markets;

• USG efforts to counter terrorist financing;

• The issues discussed and decisions taken at the September 4, 2001 Principals
Committee (PC) meeting on al Qaeda; and

• Any other PC or NSC meetings on al Qaeda or other conversations with

principals on al Qaeda from the time you were nominated as Secretary of the
Treasury until September 20,2001. This would include discussions during the
September 15-16,2001 meetings at Camp David on possible responses to the
attacks on the United States, including discussion of Iraq as a possible target.
301 7th Street SW, Room 5125 26 Federal Plaza
Washington, DC 20407 Suite 13-100
T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545 New York, NY 10278
www.9-llcommission.gov T 212.264.1505 F 212.264.1595
The Honorable Paul H. O'Neill
February 26, 2004
Page 2

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

We are, of course, interested in any other issues you deem important to the
Commission's understanding of 9-11 specifically and counterterrorism policy
generally, as well as your thoughts on policy recommendations for the future.
The Commission anticipates that classified information will be discussed at
this private session, requiring that the interview take place at the
Commission's 2100 K Street, NW, location. 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.

Please have a member of your staff contact Lisa Sullivan at (202) 401-1770 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