Rice denied this memo ever existed
This was an op-ed that was ment to effect public opinion while the administration was trying to keep her from testifying to the 9/11 Commission (which happened on April 8, 2004.)The National Security Archive wrote:Rice stated in a March 22, 2004 Washington Post op-ed, "No al Qaeda plan was turned over to the new administration."
She was lieing in that Washington Post piece, and the evidence was released today:
Memo from Clarke to Rice 1/25/01 wrote:MEMORANDUM FOR CONDOLEEZA RICE
FROM: RICHARD A. cLARKE
SUBJECT: Presidential Policy Initiative/Review -- The Al-Qida Network
<strike>Steve</strike> Condi, asked today that we propose major Presidential policy reviews or initiatives. We urgently need such a Principals level review on the al Qida network.
That Principals level (ie Sec of Defense, Pres, VP, etc) meeting was not held until 9/04/01.
The administrtion has continued to cover up and obscure from the public that they were completely ignoring any terrorist threat to the United States. This further corroborates the assertions in Clarke's book, as well as the findings of the 9/11 Commission that the Bush Administration was completely asleep at the switch.
Basically, this should come as a surprise to no one. Rice has lied repeatedly to the press regarding matters of national import.
No surprise, but the document was released today. Not sure why it was released today and not during her hearings, but whatever.