tary operation didn't just happen in the afternoon of September 11. It represented a vision of where the United States would have the need to develop information and the maintenance of an infrastructure that put us in a position to have the information when we needed it. The fact that the first people on the ground in Afghanistan were intelligence officers and that the first casualty in terms of loss of life was an intelligence officer are examples of the dedication and courage of the men and women who represent us through your agencies. And on behalf of the American people, there is a deep recognition and appreciation of what you have done. And I recognize that much of the commentary, including some today, has been phrased in terms of questioning what happened or what didn't happen. But I hope that the American people understand that those questions are being asked in the sense of how, together, do we take a strong set of agencies and make them even stronger in the face of the new threats that have now become so apparent. And I want to personally express my appreciation for your individual leadership and for the people that you lead so effectively. Director TENET. Thank you, Senator. [Whereupon, at 12:25 p.m., the Committee adjourned.] We appreciate your participation in our February 6, 2002 hearing on the current and projected national security threats to the United States. Your willingness to address this important issue in open session was appreciated and made an important contribution, not only to the work of our Committee, but to the American public's awareness of U.S. national security interests. We are submitting the attached questions for the record to you. The unclassified responses to these questions will be an important part of our hearing transcript which we hope to release as expeditiously as possible. Accordingly, we would appreciate it if you would respond in writing to these questions no later than March 11, 2002. If there are any questions, please have your staff contact Don Mitchell of our Committee staff at (202) 224-1700. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Gitane Bob Graham Sincerely, Richard Shelby Richard C. Shelby QUESTIONS FOR-THE-RECORD The Intelligence Community's Ability to Monitor Terrorist Activity 1) The Intelligence Community is America's early warning system against threats to American lives and property both here and overseas. What are the Intelligence Community's greatest strengths and deficiencies in monitoring terrorism? What lessons have you learned from September 11, 2001, to address any shortcomings? Do you all believe that you have sufficient resources to fight the war on terrorism? "The Axis of Evil" 2) In his recent State of the Union message, the President described an "Axis of Evil" consisting of Iran, Iraq and North Korea warranting continued U.S. action. What is the basis for assessing the threat associated with these three countries? From a counterterrorism standpoint, what is more threatening about these countries than others? Measuring Success in the War on Terrorism 3) What is the analytic assessment of the relationship between the current war on terrorism and the level of threat from terrorism? Is the war successful, if success is measured in lowered threat levels? The Continuing Threat Posed by al-Qa’ida 4) What is the status of our efforts against suspected al-Qa'ida cells worldwide? How would you characterize the level of cooperation with the U.S. from foreign intelligence services and law enforcement agencies with the al-Qa’ida target? With respect to cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies, are we hampered by any lack of legal authorities or agreements? How much information has the Intelligence Community obtained on al-Qa'ida from U.S. military operations in Afghanistan? How long will it take all this information to be translated and analyzed? Please characterize the nature and extent of this information. What, if any, information have you obtained regarding possible future terrorist attacks or alQa'ida's possession of and ability to use weapons of mass destruction? Bin Ladin's Whereabouts 5) What is the Intelligence Community's assessment of whether Usama Bin Ladin is alive and where he might be located? What does it say about the level of loyalty and support Bin Ladin still engenders in the Islamic world that he has not been located despite the $25 million "dead or alive" reward being offered for his capture? Status of U.S. Objectives in Afghanistan 6) President Bush has indicated that among U.S. objectives in Afghanistan are the following: deliver to the U.S. all the leaders of al-Qa'ida who hide in Afghanistan; release all foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, who have been unjustly imprisoned; closing every terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, and handing over every terrorist, and every person in their support structure, to appropriate authorities; and give the U.S. full access to terrorist training camps, so we can make sure they are no longer operating. Please provide an overview of the status of compliance with these demands. What level of commitment will need to be made to Afghanistan to prevent it from once again becoming a breeding place for international terrorism? Duration of the War on Terror 7) In his speech to the Joint Session of Congress last September 20, President Bush said of the war on terrorism that "...[i]t will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated." In your opinion, how long will it take to attain this objective? Nations Supporting Terrorism 8) In his speech to a Joint Session of Congress last September 20, President Bush stated that "[f]rom this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.” The Secretary of State maintains a list of countries that have "repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism." Currently, the seven countries on this terrorism list are: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. How good is our intelligence on the terrorist related activities of these countries? Has the Intelligence Community noted any increase or diminution of these countries' support to terrorism since last September 11, 2001? Tracking and Freezing Terrorist Assets 9) A major area of U.S. focus has been tracking and freezing the finances of al-Qa'ida and other terrorist groups. What have we learned about the nature and extent of terrorist financing that we did not know prior to September 11, 2001? Where are our most important information gaps when it comes to terrorist financing? The Threat of Cyberterrorism 10) The FBI has issued a nationwide alert to law enforcement agencies and the private sector to prepare for the possibility of attacks against critical infrastructure facilities. Do we have any information that al-Qa'ida had the interest or ability to conduct cyberterrorist operations against the U.S.? What terrorist groups are the likeliest to conduct such operations? Nuclear Terrorism 11) Perhaps the most frightening terrorist tools are nuclear weapons including radiological weapons which would disperse hazardous radioactive isotopes. What is the Intelligence Community's assessment of the likelihood that terrorists already possess such weapons? How confident are you that terrorists have not been able to successfully smuggle such nuclear devices into the U.S. already? Trying Terrorists by Military Tribunals 12) On November 13, 2001, President Bush signed a Military Order pertaining to the detention, treatment and trial of certain non-citizens in the current war against terrorism. Please describe how the Intelligence Community is involved in this process, including the interrogation of prisoners. Leaks About the Intelligence Community's Role in the War on Terrorism 13) Since September 11, 2001, there has been a significant amount of information in the press regarding the Intelligence Community's work on the war on terrorism -- particularly in Afghanistan. How damaging have these public revelations been to the Intelligence Community's effort and what is being done to plug these leaks? |