Vice President Richard Cheney

Part 1: Bush Administration

National Security Council

March 18, 2004

Dick Cheney, Vice President of the United States

1. Please discuss the advice and plans of the Energy Advisory Council specifically as they relate to pipeline development and gas/oil exploration in Afghanistan, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries, and the feasibility of such development or exploration specifically in those two countries in 2001.
http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/Opinions/2002/Bates/02-340.pdf

2. Please describe any discussions/negotiations between the Taliban and either public or private agents prior to September 11th regarding Osama bin Laden and/or rights to pass a pipeline through Afghanistan, or any other subject pertaining to Afghanistan.
  • Specifically, what were the discussions/negotiations about?
  • Expand upon the discussions, agreements, or threatening remarks that were reportedly made?

3. On the morning of September 11th, when did you first become aware that America was under attack? Who informed you?

4. Besides ensuring the succession to the Presidency, is there a defense protocol to follow in the event our nation is attacked? Was it followed?
http://www.thebulletin.org/issues/2001/nd01/nd01schwartz.html
http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/pdd/fpc-65.htm

5. What subsequent actions did you take to defend our nation?
  • Did you have open lines with the Secret Service, NORAD, the FAA and DOD?
  • Who was in the Situation Room with you?
  • Was Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld or anyone at the Pentagon informed that we were under attack? If so, at what time was the Pentagon informed? If not Rumsfeld, who?
  • Why wasn’t the Pentagon defended?
  • Did you consult with President Bush about all decisions?

6. Was the order given to shoot down Flight 93?

7. Please explain your opposition to the creation of an independent commission to investigate 9/11 and your request that Senator Daschle quash an investigation.
http://www.rense.com/general25/ggg.htm

8. The Hart Rudman Report was released in January, 2001, which predicted a catastrophic terrorist attack within the United States. Yet the White House apparently set aside the recommendations and announced in May that you would study the issue of domestic terrorism. Apparently, responsibility for dealing with the problem was then passed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Director, Joe Allbaugh. Congress had been willing to support the recommendations.
http://dir.salon.com/politics/feature/2001/09/12/bush/index.html
http://www.mipt.org/srchnatlstrat03272001c.asp
  • In addressing the issue of domestic terrorism, which you were asked to oversee by President Bush in May, 2001, whom did you consult and/or from whom did you request briefings?
  • What were your findings on the threat level?
  • What recommendations for improved security resulted from your study of domestic terrorism? When were they made and to whom?
  • What coordinated plans of action, directives or protocols developed as a result?
  • Were those recommendations carried out following the September 11th attacks?

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/rrr/frp/frp2003.pdf

9. Why were the recommendations of the Hart Rudman Report ignored?
http://dir.salon.com/politics/feature/2001/09/12/bush/index.html

10. Were you given Cipro on the evening of September 11? If so, why?
“At least some White House personnel were given Cipro six weeks ago. White House officials won’t discuss that, or who might be receiving the anthrax-treating antibiotic now…
On the night of the Sept. 11 attacks, the White House Medical Office dispensed Cipro to staff accompanying Vice President Dick Cheney as he was secreted off to the safety of Camp David, and told them it was a precaution, according to one person directly involved.”
http://www.unansweredquestions.net/timeline/2001/ap102401.html

11. Please provide the names of anyone else who received Cipro in advance of the anthrax attacks.

12. What level of support can the 9/11 Commission expect with regard to enacting the changes that they recommend?