Homeland Security

DATE=3/30/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH - TERRORISM (S)

NUMBER=2-314602

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will testify in public under oath before the commission investigating the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson has details.

TEXT: It is a big shift for the Bush White House, which had maintained that sitting national security advisors are barred from testifying in public before any panel created by Congress.

But that argument fell away in the face of the ongoing controversy surrounding the accusations of former White House counter-terrorism coordinator Richard Clarke. He has charged the Bush administration ignored the terrorist threat prior to the September 11th attacks because it was fixated on Iraq.

In a letter to the commission, White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales made no mention of Mr. Clarke's allegations. He said only that the president is aware that the commission has a unique mission and has decided that Ms. Rice can testify in public if her appearance is not seen a precedent.

Mr. Gonzales also said the White House is willing to expand its offer for a private session between the president and the heads of the commission. He said President Bush and Vice President Cheney are willing to meet jointly with all ten commissioners behind closed doors to answer their questions. (signed)

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