Sept. 11 commission draft harshly critical of FBI, CIA

[Kadie]

Sept. 11 commission draft harshly critical of FBI, CIA

By HOPE YEN, Associated Press

Posted: Tuesday June 8th, 2004, 4:20 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday June 8th, 2004, 4:20 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) - Draft portions of the Sept. 11 commission's final report offer a stinging rebuke of the FBI and intelligence agencies but refrain from assigning blame to individuals in government to avoid the appearance of partisanship, several commissioners say.

The 10-member panel still is wrestling over recommendations to shore up the intelligence gaps and communications breakdowns that allowed the hijackers to succeed, four commissioners told The Associated Press in separate interviews.

"There's broad consensus that major changes are needed. This is not just a question of running faster, jumping higher," said Republican commissioner John Lehman, a former secretary of the Navy. "We need to ensure the fusion and sharing of all intelligence that could have helped us to avoid 9/11."

Among the ideas under consideration is a domestic intelligence agency modeled after Britain's MI5.

Democratic commissioner Timothy Roemer said FBI Director Robert Mueller's recent proposal to improve domestic surveillance by creating an intelligence service within the bureau is another option under review by the panel but might not be enough.

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