9-11 chair: government 'failed to protect American people'
from KFOR-TV Oklahoma City
Read the 9-11 report here
WASHINGTON -- Sept. 11 commission chairman Tom Kean says U.S. government "failed to protect the American people" from terrorist attack.
Announcing the findings of the commission, Chairman Thomas Kean said the government was "not active enough in combating the terrorist threat" in advance of the attacks.
The head of the Nine-Eleven commission says the government was simply not active enough in fighting terror before the attacks. And, he said, the government's response on the day of the attacks was "improvised" and "ineffective," although there were individual acts of heroism.
The panel's report also said nothing the government did leading up to 9-11 "disturbed or even delayed" the future hijackers.
And, Kean said, were steps the government could have taken that may have led authorities to catch on to the plot, including better airport screening and keeping a closer watch on terrorist watch lists.
Kean also warned that an attack of "even greater magnitude" is probable in the future. He said the nation doesn't have the luxury of time. While the panel isn't blaming any individuals, Kean said every person in a senior government position at the time has some "element" of responsibility.
The vice chairman of the commission said reforms need to be made at home and abroad to prevent another terrorist attack. Lee Hamilton spoke to reporters after the panel released its final report on the attacks.
Hamilton said there's no single person that oversees various intelligence efforts, and that needs to change. He said that's why the panel is recommending a new national director of intelligence.
Hamilton also said the nation needs to "play offense" to hunt down terrorists and deny them safe havens and money. He said one way to do that is to make sure nations such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Pakistan are stable.
He said there also needs to be a "better dialogue" between the Western and Islamic worlds. Hamilton said the nation needs to kill or capture them before they can strike.
Kean said blows have been struck against terrorists, and attacks have been prevented. But, he said, the nation still faces one of the greatest security challenges in its history.
"We cannot let our guard down," he said.
Read the 9-11 report here
WASHINGTON -- Sept. 11 commission chairman Tom Kean says U.S. government "failed to protect the American people" from terrorist attack.
Announcing the findings of the commission, Chairman Thomas Kean said the government was "not active enough in combating the terrorist threat" in advance of the attacks.
The head of the Nine-Eleven commission says the government was simply not active enough in fighting terror before the attacks. And, he said, the government's response on the day of the attacks was "improvised" and "ineffective," although there were individual acts of heroism.
The panel's report also said nothing the government did leading up to 9-11 "disturbed or even delayed" the future hijackers.
And, Kean said, were steps the government could have taken that may have led authorities to catch on to the plot, including better airport screening and keeping a closer watch on terrorist watch lists.
Kean also warned that an attack of "even greater magnitude" is probable in the future. He said the nation doesn't have the luxury of time. While the panel isn't blaming any individuals, Kean said every person in a senior government position at the time has some "element" of responsibility.
The vice chairman of the commission said reforms need to be made at home and abroad to prevent another terrorist attack. Lee Hamilton spoke to reporters after the panel released its final report on the attacks.
Hamilton said there's no single person that oversees various intelligence efforts, and that needs to change. He said that's why the panel is recommending a new national director of intelligence.
Hamilton also said the nation needs to "play offense" to hunt down terrorists and deny them safe havens and money. He said one way to do that is to make sure nations such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Pakistan are stable.
He said there also needs to be a "better dialogue" between the Western and Islamic worlds. Hamilton said the nation needs to kill or capture them before they can strike.
Kean said blows have been struck against terrorists, and attacks have been prevented. But, he said, the nation still faces one of the greatest security challenges in its history.
"We cannot let our guard down," he said.
My name is Stef, and I approve this post. Posted @ 9:54 PM
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