FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
22 July 2004
Statement
by the Acting Director of Central Intelligence
John E. McLaughlin
on the
9/11 Commission Report
On behalf of the men and women throughout the American Intelligence
Community, I want to express appreciation to the National Commission
on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States for producing a comprehensive
report that will serve our nation in the fight against terrorism in
the years ahead.
The Commission cites the systemic weaknesses and other shortcomings
that kept the Intelligence Communityand the government as a wholefrom
preventing the devastating attacks on 9/11, despite US intelligence’s
recognition of the seriousness of the terrorist threat and often heroic
efforts. We appreciate the Commission’s observation that the Central
Intelligence Agency is in the foreground of the story and of some of
its criticisms partly because before 9/11, no Agency had more responsibilityor
did moreto attack Al-Qaida.
In the weeks and months ahead, we will carefully study the conclusions
and recommendations of this important report. And we will consider how
these conclusions and recommendations can enhance the many changes that
have been made since the 9/11 attackschanges that have not only
transformed the Intelligence Community’s collection, operational, and
analytic capabilities in the war on terrorism, but have also strengthened
our government’s ability to deal with the threat to our homeland.
The Commission members have performed an important service to our nation
with this report, and we look forward to examining their findings.
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