WARTIME|NNP 
After|IN the|DT attacks|NNS had|VBD occurred|VBN ,|, while|IN crisis|NN managers|NNS were|VBD still|RB sorting|VBG out|RP a|DT number|NN of|IN unnerving|VBG false|JJ alarms|NNS ,|, Air|NNP Force|NNP One|CD flew|VBD to|TO Barksdale|NNP Air|NNP Force|NNP Base|NNP in|IN Louisiana|NNP .|. 
One|CD of|IN these|DT alarms|NNS was|VBD of|IN a|DT reported|VBN threat|NN against|IN Air|NNP Force|NNP One|CD itself|PRP ,|, a|DT threat|NN eventually|RB run|VB down|RB to|TO a|DT misunderstood|VBN communication|NN in|IN the|DT hectic|JJ White|NNP House|NNP Situation|NNP Room|NNP that|DT morning|NN .|. 

While|IN the|DT plan|NN at|IN the|DT elementary|JJ school|NN had|VBD been|VBN to|TO return|VB to|TO Washington|NNP ,|, by|IN the|DT time|NN Air|NNP Force|NNP One|CD was|VBD airborne|JJ at|IN 9:55|NN A.M.|NN the|DT Secret|NNP Service|NNP ,|, the|DT President|NNP 's|POS advisers|NNS ,|, and|CC Vice|NNP President|NNP Cheney|NNP were|VBD strongly|RB advising|VBG against|IN it|PRP .|. 
President|NNP Bush|NNP reluctantly|RB acceded|VBD to|TO this|DT advice|NN and|CC ,|, at|IN about|IN 10:10|NN ,|, Air|NNP Force|NNP One|CD changed|VBN course|NN and|CC began|VBD heading|VBG due|JJ west|NN .|. 
The|DT immediate|JJ objective|NN was|VBD to|TO find|VB a|DT safe|JJ location-not|JJ too|RB far|RB away-where|JJ the|DT President|NNP could|MD land|VB and|CC speak|VB to|TO the|DT American|JJ people|NNS .|. 
The|DT Secret|NNP Service|NNP was|VBD also|RB interested|JJ in|IN refueling|VBG the|DT aircraft|NN and|CC paring|VBG down|RP the|DT size|NN of|IN the|DT traveling|VBG party|NN .|. 
The|DT President|NNP 's|POS military|JJ aide|NN ,|, an|DT Air|NNP Force|NNP officer|NN ,|, quickly|RB researched|VBN the|DT options|NNS and|CC ,|, sometime|RB around|IN 10:20|NN ,|, identified|VBD Barksdale|NNP Air|NNP Force|NNP Base|NNP as|IN an|DT appropriate|JJ interim|JJ destination|NN .|. 

When|WRB Air|NNP Force|NNP One|CD landed|VBD at|IN Barksdale|NNP at|IN about|IN 11:45|NN ,|, personnel|NNS from|IN the|DT local|JJ Secret|NNP Service|NNP office|NN were|VBD still|RB en|IN route|NN to|TO the|DT airfield|NN .|. 
The|DT motorcade|NN consisted|VBD of|IN a|DT military|JJ police|NN lead|NN vehicle|NN and|CC a|DT van|NN ;|: the|DT proposed|VBN briefing|NN theater|NN had|VBD no|DT phones|NNS or|CC electrical|JJ outlets|NNS .|. 
Staff|NNP scrambled|VBD to|TO prepare|VB another|DT room|NN for|IN the|DT President|NNP 's|POS remarks|NNS ,|, while|IN the|DT lead|JJ Secret|NNP Service|NNP agent|NN reviewed|VBD the|DT security|NN situation|NN with|IN superiors|NNS in|IN Washington|NNP .|. 
The|DT President|NNP completed|VBD his|PRP$ statement|NN ,|, which|WDT for|IN security|NN reasons|NNS was|VBD taped|VBN and|CC not|RB broadcast|VB live|VB ,|, and|CC the|DT traveling|VBG party|NN returned|VBD to|TO Air|NNP Force|NNP One|CD .|. 
The|DT next|JJ destination|NN was|VBD discussed|VBN :|: once|RB again|RB the|DT Secret|NNP Service|NNP recommended|VBD against|IN returning|VBG to|TO Washington|NNP ,|, and|CC the|DT Vice|NNP President|NNP agreed|VBD .|. 
Offutt|NNP Air|NNP Force|NNP Base|NNP in|IN Nebraska|NNP was|VBD chosen|VBN because|IN of|IN its|PRP$ elaborate|VB command|NN and|CC control|NN facilities|NNS ,|, and|CC because|IN it|PRP could|MD accommodate|VB overnight|JJ lodging|VBG for|IN 50|CD persons|NNS .|. 
The|DT Secret|NNP Service|NNP wanted|VBD a|DT place|NN where|WRB the|DT President|NNP could|MD spend|VB several|JJ days|NNS ,|, if|IN necessary|JJ .|. 

Air|NNP Force|NNP One|CD arrived|VBD at|IN Offutt|NNP at|IN 2:50|NN P.M.|NN 
At|IN about|IN 3:15|NN ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP met|VBD with|IN his|PRP$ principal|JJ advisers|NNS through|IN a|DT secure|JJ video|NN teleconference|NN .|. 

Rice|NNP said|VBD President|NNP Bush|NNP began|VBD the|DT meeting|NN with|IN the|DT words|NNS ,|, "|'' We|PRP 're|VBP at|IN war|NN ,|, "|'' and|CC that|IN Director|NNP of|IN Central|NNP Intelligence|NNP George|NNP Tenet|NNP said|VBD the|DT agency|NN was|VBD still|RB assessing|VBG who|WP was|VBD responsible|JJ ,|, but|CC the|DT early|JJ signs|NNS all|DT pointed|VBD to|TO al|NN Qaeda|NNP .|. 
That|DT evening|NN the|DT Deputies|NNS Committee|NNP returned|VBD to|TO the|DT pending|VBG presidential|JJ directive|NN they|PRP had|VBD labored|JJ over|IN during|IN the|DT summer|NN .|. 
The|DT secretary|NN of|IN defense|NN directed|VBD the|DT nation|NN 's|POS armed|VBN forces|NNS to|TO Defense|NNP Condition|NNP 3|CD ,|, an|DT increased|VBN state|NN of|IN military|JJ readiness|NN .|. 

For|IN the|DT first|JJ time|NN in|IN history|NN ,|, all|DT nonemergency|NN civilian|JJ aircraft|NN in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS were|VBD grounded|VBN ,|, stranding|VBG tens|NNS of|IN thousands|NNS of|IN passengers|NNS across|IN the|DT country|NN .|. 
Contingency|NNP plans|VBZ for|IN the|DT continuity|NN of|IN government|NN and|CC the|DT evacuation|NN of|IN leaders|NNS had|VBD been|VBN implemented|VBN .|. 
The|DT Pentagon|NNP had|VBD been|VBN struck|VBN ;|: the|DT White|NNP House|NNP or|CC the|DT Capitol|NNP had|VBD narrowly|RB escaped|VBN direct|JJ attack|NN .|. 
Extraordinary|JJ security|NN precautions|NNS were|VBD put|VBN in|IN place|NN at|IN the|DT nation|NN 's|POS borders|NNS and|CC ports|NNS .|. 

In|IN the|DT late|JJ afternoon|NN ,|, the|DT President|NNP overruled|VBD his|PRP$ aides|NNS '|POS continuing|VBG reluctance|NN to|TO have|VB him|PRP return|VBP to|TO Washington|NNP and|CC ordered|VBD Air|NNP Force|NNP One|CD back|RB to|TO Andrews|NNP Air|NNP Force|NNP Base|NNP .|. 
He|PRP was|VBD flown|VBN by|IN helicopter|NN back|RB to|TO the|DT White|NNP House|NNP ,|, passing|VBG over|IN the|DT still-smoldering|JJ Pentagon|NNP .|. 
At|IN 8:30|NN that|DT evening|NN ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP addressed|VBD the|DT nation|NN from|IN the|DT White|NNP House|NNP .|. 
After|IN emphasizing|VBG that|IN the|DT first|JJ priority|NN was|VBD to|TO help|VB the|DT injured|VBN and|CC protect|VB against|IN any|DT further|RBR attacks|NNS ,|, he|PRP said|VBD :|: "|'' We|PRP will|MD make|VB no|DT distinction|NN between|IN the|DT terrorists|NNS who|WP committed|VBD these|DT acts|NNS and|CC those|DT who|WP harbor|VBP them|PRP .|. "|'' 
He|PRP quoted|VBD Psalm|NNP 23|CD -|: "|'' though|IN I|PRP walk|VBP through|IN the|DT valley|NN of|IN the|DT shadow|NN of|IN death|NN .|. .|. .|. "|'' No|DT American|NNP ,|, he|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' will|MD ever|RB forget|VB this|DT day|NN .|. "|'' 

Following|VBG his|PRP$ speech|NN ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP met|VBD again|RB with|IN his|PRP$ National|NNP Security|NNP Council|NNP (|( NSC|NNP )|) ,|, expanded|VBN to|TO include|VB Secretary|NNP of|IN Transportation|NNP Norman|NNP Mineta|NNP and|CC Joseph|NNP Allbaugh|NNP ,|, the|DT director|NN of|IN the|DT Federal|NNP Emergency|NNP Management|NNP Agency|NNP .|. 
Secretary|NNP of|IN State|NNP Colin|NNP Powell|NNP ,|, who|WP had|VBD returned|VBN from|IN Peru|NNP after|IN hearing|VBG of|IN the|DT attacks|NNS ,|, joined|VBD the|DT discussion|NN .|. 
They|PRP reviewed|VBD the|DT day|NN 's|POS events|NNS .|. 

IMMEDIATE|NNP RESPONSES|NNP AT|NNP HOME|NNP 
As|IN the|DT urgent|JJ domestic|JJ issues|NNS accumulated|VBN ,|, White|NNP House|NNP Deputy|NNP Chief|NNP of|IN Staff|NNP Joshua|NNP Bolten|NNP chaired|VBD a|DT temporary|JJ "|'' domestic|JJ consequences|NNS "|'' group|NN .|. 

The|DT agenda|NN in|IN those|DT first|JJ days|NNS is|VBZ worth|JJ noting|VBG ,|, partly|RB as|IN a|DT checklist|NN for|IN future|JJ crisis|NN planners|NNS .|. 
It|PRP began|VBD with|IN problems|NNS of|IN how|WRB to|TO help|VB victims|NNS and|CC stanch|VB the|DT flowing|VBG losses|NNS to|TO the|DT American|JJ economy|NN ,|, such|JJ as|IN 

Organizing|NNP federal|JJ emergency|NN assistance|NN .|. 
One|CD question|NN was|VBD what|WP kind|NN of|IN public|JJ health|NN advice|NN to|TO give|VB about|IN the|DT air|NN quality|NN in|IN Lower|JJR Manhattan|NNP in|IN the|DT vicinity|NN of|IN the|DT fallen|VBN buildings|NNS .|. 
Compensating|NNP victims|NNS .|. 
They|PRP evaluated|VBD legislative|JJ options|NNS ,|, eventually|RB setting|VBG up|RP a|DT federal|JJ compensation|NN fund|NN and|CC defining|VBG the|DT powers|NNS of|IN a|DT special|JJ master|NN to|TO run|VB it|PRP .|. 
Determining|VBG federal|JJ assistance|NN .|. 
On|IN September|NNP 13|CD ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP promised|VBD to|TO provide|VB $20|NN billion|CD for|IN New|NNP York|NNP City|NNP ,|, in|IN addition|NN to|TO the|DT $20|NN billion|CD his|PRP$ budget|NN director|NN had|VBD already|RB guessed|VBD might|MD be|VB needed|VBN for|IN the|DT country|NN as|IN a|DT whole|NN .|. 
Restoring|NNP civil|JJ aviation|NN .|. 
On|IN the|DT morning|NN of|IN September|NNP 13|CD ,|, the|DT national|JJ airspace|NN reopened|VBD for|IN use|NN by|IN airports|NNS that|WDT met|VBD newly|RB improvised|VBD security|NN standards|NNS .|. 
Reopening|NNP the|DT financial|JJ markets|NNS .|. 
After|IN extraordinary|JJ emergency|NN efforts|NNS involving|VBG the|DT White|NNP House|NNP ,|, the|DT Treasury|NNP Department|NNP ,|, and|CC the|DT Securities|NNPS and|CC Exchange|NNP Commission|NNP ,|, aided|VBN by|IN unprecedented|JJ cooperation|NN among|IN the|DT usually|RB competitive|JJ firms|NNS of|IN the|DT financial|JJ industry|NN ,|, the|DT markets|NNS reopened|VBD on|IN Monday|NNP ,|, September|NNP 17|CD .|. 
Deciding|VBG when|WRB and|CC how|WRB to|TO return|VB border|NN and|CC port|NN security|NN to|TO more|RBR normal|JJ operations|NNS .|. 
Evaluating|VBG legislative|JJ proposals|NNS to|TO bail|VB out|RP the|DT airline|NN industry|NN and|CC cap|VB its|PRP$ liability|NN .|. 
The|DT very|JJ process|NN of|IN reviewing|VBG these|DT issues|NNS underscored|VBD the|DT absence|NN of|IN an|DT effective|JJ government|NN organization|NN dedicated|VBN to|TO assessing|VBG vulnerabilities|NNS and|CC handling|VBG problems|NNS of|IN protection|NN and|CC preparedness|NN .|. 
Though|IN a|DT number|NN of|IN agencies|NNS had|VBD some|DT part|NN of|IN the|DT task|NN ,|, none|NN had|VBD security|NN as|IN its|PRP$ primary|JJ mission|NN .|. 
By|IN September|NNP 14|CD ,|, Vice|NNP President|NNP Cheney|NNP had|VBD decided|VBN to|TO recommend|VB ,|, at|IN least|JJS as|IN a|DT first|JJ step|NN ,|, a|DT new|JJ White|NNP House|NNP entity|NN to|TO coordinate|VB all|DT the|DT relevant|JJ agencies|NNS rather|RB than|IN tackle|VB the|DT challenge|NN of|IN combining|VBG them|PRP in|IN a|DT new|JJ department|NN .|. 
This|DT new|JJ White|NNP House|NNP entity|NN would|MD be|VB a|DT homeland|NN security|NN adviser|NN and|CC Homeland|NN Security|NNP Council-paralleling|NNP the|DT National|NNP Security|NNP Council|NNP system|NN .|. 
Vice|NNP President|NNP Cheney|NNP reviewed|VBD the|DT proposal|NN with|IN President|NNP Bush|NNP and|CC other|JJ advisers|NNS .|. 
President|NNP Bush|NNP announced|VBD the|DT new|JJ post|NN and|CC its|PRP$ first|JJ occupant-|NN Pennsylvania|NNP governor|NN Tom|NNP Ridge-in|NNP his|PRP$ address|NN to|TO a|DT joint|JJ session|NN of|IN Congress|NNP on|IN September|NNP 20|CD .|. 

Beginning|VBG on|IN September|NNP 11|CD ,|, Immigration|NNP and|CC Naturalization|NNP Service|NNP agents|NNS working|VBG in|IN cooperation|NN with|IN the|DT FBI|NNP began|VBD arresting|VBG individuals|NNS for|IN immigration|NN violations|NNS whom|WP they|PRP encountered|VBD while|IN following|VBG up|RP leads|VBZ in|IN the|DT FBI|NNP 's|POS investigation|NN of|IN the|DT 9/11|CD attacks|NNS .|. 
Eventually|RB ,|, 768|CD aliens|NNS were|VBD arrested|VBN as|IN "|'' special|JJ interest|NN "|'' detainees|NNS .|. 
Some|DT (|( such|JJ as|IN Zacarias|NNP Moussaoui|NNP )|) were|VBD actually|RB in|IN INS|NNP custody|NN before|IN 9/11|CD ;|: most|JJS were|VBD arrested|VBN after|IN .|. 
Attorney|NNP General|NNP John|NNP Ashcroft|NNP told|VBD us|PRP that|IN he|PRP saw|VBD his|PRP$ job|NN in|IN directing|VBG this|DT effort|NN as|IN "|'' risk|NN minimization|NN ,|, "|'' both|DT to|TO find|VB out|IN who|WP had|VBD committed|VBN the|DT attacks|NNS and|CC to|TO prevent|VB a|DT subsequent|JJ attack|NN .|. 
Ashcroft|NNP ordered|VBD all|DT special|JJ interest|NN immigration|NN hearings|NNS closed|VBD to|TO the|DT public|NN ,|, family|NN members|NNS ,|, and|CC press|NN ;|: directed|VBN government|NN attorneys|NNS to|TO seek|VB denial|NN of|IN bond|NN until|IN such|JJ time|NN as|IN they|PRP were|VBD "|'' cleared|VBD "|'' of|IN terrorist|JJ connections|NNS by|IN the|DT FBI|NNP and|CC other|JJ agencies|NNS ;|: and|CC ordered|VBD the|DT identity|NN of|IN the|DT detainees|NNS kept|VBD secret|JJ .|. 
INS|NNP attorneys|NNS charged|VBN with|IN prosecuting|VBG the|DT immigration|NN violations|NNS had|VBD trouble|NN getting|VBG information|NN about|IN the|DT detainees|NNS and|CC any|DT terrorist|JJ connections|NNS ;|: in|IN the|DT chaos|NN after|IN the|DT attacks|NNS ,|, it|PRP was|VBD very|RB difficult|JJ to|TO reach|VB law|NN enforcement|NN officials|NNS ,|, who|WP were|VBD following|VBG up|RP on|IN other|JJ leads|NNS .|. 
The|DT clearance|NN process|NN approved|VBN by|IN the|DT Justice|NNP Department|NNP was|VBD time-consuming|JJ ,|, lasting|VBG an|DT average|NN of|IN about|IN 80|CD days|NNS .|. 

We|PRP have|VBP assessed|VBN this|DT effort|NN to|TO detain|NN aliens|NNS of|IN "|'' special|JJ interest|NN .|. "|'' 
The|DT detainees|NNS were|VBD lawfully|RB held|VBN on|IN immigration|NN charges|NNS .|. 
Records|NNPS indicate|VBP that|IN 531|CD were|VBD deported|VBD ,|, 162|CD were|VBD released|VBN on|IN bond|NN ,|, 24|CD received|VBD some|DT kind|NN of|IN immigration|NN benefits|NNS ,|, 12|CD had|VBD their|PRP$ proceedings|NNS terminated|VBD ,|, and|CC 8|CD -|: one|CD of|IN whom|WP was|VBD Moussaoui-were|NNP remanded|VBD to|TO the|DT custody|NN of|IN the|DT U.S.|NN 
Marshals|NNP Service|NNP .|. 
The|DT inspector|NN general|NN of|IN the|DT Justice|NNP Department|NNP found|VBD significant|JJ problems|NNS in|IN the|DT way|NN the|DT 9/11|CD detainees|NNS were|VBD treated|VBN .|. 

In|IN response|NN to|TO a|DT request|NN about|IN the|DT counterterrorism|NN benefits|NNS of|IN the|DT 9/11|CD detainee|NN program|NN ,|, the|DT Justice|NNP Department|NNP cited|VBD six|CD individuals|NNS on|IN the|DT special|JJ interest|NN detainee|NN list|NN ,|, noting|VBG that|IN two|CD (|( including|VBG Moussaoui|NNP )|) were|VBD linked|VBN directly|RB to|TO a|DT terrorist|JJ organization|NN and|CC that|IN it|PRP had|VBD obtained|VBN new|JJ leads|VBZ helpful|JJ to|TO the|DT investigation|NN of|IN the|DT 9/11|CD terrorist|JJ attacks|NNS .|. 

A|DT senior|JJ al|NN Qaeda|NNP detainee|NN has|VBZ stated|VBN that|IN U.S.|NN government|NN efforts|NNS after|IN the|DT 9/11|CD attacks|NNS to|TO monitor|VB the|DT American|JJ homeland|NN ,|, including|VBG review|NN of|IN Muslims|NNPS '|POS immigration|NN files|NNS and|CC deportation|NN of|IN nonpermanent|NN residents|NNS ,|, forced|VBN al|NN Qaeda|NNP to|TO operate|VB less|RBR freely|RB in|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS .|. 

The|DT government|NN 's|POS ability|NN to|TO collect|VB intelligence|NN inside|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS ,|, and|CC the|DT sharing|NN of|IN such|JJ information|NN between|IN the|DT intelligence|NN and|CC law|NN enforcement|NN communities|NNS ,|, was|VBD not|RB a|DT priority|NN before|IN 9/11|CD .|. 
Guidelines|NNS on|IN this|DT subject|JJ issued|VBN in|IN August|NNP 2001|CD by|IN Deputy|NNP Attorney|NNP General|NNP LarryThompson|NNP essentially|RB recapitulated|JJ prior|RB guidance|NN .|. 
However|RB ,|, the|DT attacks|NNS of|IN 9/11|CD changed|VBN everything|NN .|. 
Less|JJR than|IN one|CD week|NN after|IN September|NNP 11|CD ,|, an|DT early|JJ version|NN of|IN what|WP was|VBD to|TO become|VB the|DT Patriot|NNP Act|NNP (|( officially|RB ,|, the|DT USA|NNP PATRIOT|NNP Act|NNP )|) began|VBD to|TO take|VB shape|NN .|. 

A|DT central|JJ provision|NN of|IN the|DT proposal|NN was|VBD the|DT removal|NN of|IN "|'' the|DT wall|NN "|'' on|IN information|NN sharing|VBG between|IN the|DT intelligence|NN and|CC law|NN enforcement|NN communities|NNS (|( discussed|VBN in|IN chapter|NN 3|LS )|) .|. 
Ashcroft|NNP told|VBD us|PRP he|PRP was|VBD determined|VBN to|TO take|VB every|DT conceivable|JJ action|NN ,|, within|IN the|DT limits|NNS of|IN the|DT Constitution|NNP ,|, to|TO identify|VB potential|JJ terrorists|NNS and|CC deter|VB additional|JJ attacks|NNS .|. 

The|DT administration|NN developed|VBD a|DT proposal|NN that|IN eventually|RB passed|VBD both|DT houses|NNS of|IN Congress|NNP by|IN large|JJ majorities|NNS and|CC was|VBD signed|VBN into|IN law|NN on|IN October|NNP 26|CD .|. 

Flights|NNS of|IN Saudi|NNP Nationals|NNP Leaving|VBG the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS 
Three|CD questions|NNS have|VBP arisen|VBN with|IN respect|NN to|TO the|DT departure|NN of|IN Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS from|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS in|IN the|DT immediate|JJ aftermath|NN of|IN 9/11|CD :|: (|( 1|LS )|) Did|VBD any|DT flights|NNS of|IN Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS take|VBP place|NN before|IN national|JJ airspace|NN reopened|VBD on|IN September|NNP 13|CD ,|, 2001|CD ?|. 
(|( 2|LS )|) Was|VBD there|EX any|DT political|JJ intervention|NN to|TO facilitate|VB the|DT departure|NN of|IN Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS ?|. 
(|( 3|LS )|) Did|VBD the|DT FBI|NNP screen|NN Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS thoroughly|RB before|IN their|PRP$ departure|NN ?|. 

First|LS ,|, we|PRP found|VBD no|DT evidence|NN that|IN any|DT flights|NNS of|IN Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS ,|, domestic|JJ or|CC international|JJ ,|, took|VBD place|NN before|IN the|DT reopening|VBG of|IN national|JJ airspace|NN on|IN the|DT morning|NN of|IN September|NNP 13|CD ,|, 2001|CD .|. 
To|TO the|DT contrary|NN ,|, every|DT flight|NN we|PRP have|VBP identified|VBN occurred|VBN after|IN national|JJ airspace|NN reopened|VBD .|. 

Second|JJ ,|, we|PRP found|VBD no|DT evidence|NN of|IN political|JJ intervention|NN .|. 
We|PRP found|VBD no|DT evidence|NN that|DT anyone|NN at|IN the|DT White|NNP House|NNP above|IN the|DT level|NN of|IN Richard|NNP Clarke|NNP participated|VBD in|IN a|DT decision|NN on|IN the|DT departure|NN of|IN Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS .|. 
The|DT issue|NN came|VBD up|RB in|IN one|CD of|IN the|DT many|JJ video|NN teleconferences|NNS of|IN the|DT interagency|NN group|NN Clarke|NNP chaired|VBD ,|, and|CC Clarke|NNP said|VBD he|PRP approved|VBD of|IN how|WRB the|DT FBI|NNP was|VBD dealing|VBG with|IN the|DT matter|NN when|WRB it|PRP came|VBD up|RP for|IN interagency|NN discussion|NN at|IN his|PRP$ level|NN .|. 
Clarke|NNP told|VBD us|PRP ,|, "|'' I|PRP asked|VBD the|DT FBI|NNP ,|, Dale|NNP Watson|NNP .|. .|. .|. to|TO handle|VB that|RB ,|, to|TO check|VB to|TO see|VB if|IN that|DT was|VBD all|DT right|NN with|IN them|PRP ,|, to|TO see|VB if|IN they|PRP wanted|VBD access|NN to|TO any|DT of|IN these|DT people|NNS ,|, and|CC to|TO get|VB back|RB to|TO me|PRP .|. 
And|CC if|IN they|PRP had|VBD no|DT objections|NNS ,|, it|PRP would|MD be|VB fine|NN with|IN me|PRP .|. "|'' 
Clarke|NNP added|VBD ,|, "|'' I|PRP have|VBP no|DT recollection|NN of|IN clearing|NN it|PRP with|IN anybody|NN at|IN the|DT White|NNP House|NNP .|. "|'' 

Although|IN White|NNP House|NNP Chief|NNP of|IN Staff|NNP Andrew|NNP Card|NNP remembered|VBD someone|NN telling|VBG him|PRP about|IN the|DT Saudi|JJ request|NN shortly|RB after|IN 9/11|CD ,|, he|PRP said|VBD he|PRP had|VBD not|RB talked|VBN to|TO the|DT Saudis|NNPS and|CC did|VBD not|RB ask|VB anyone|NN to|TO do|VB anything|NN about|IN it|PRP .|. 
The|DT President|NNP and|CC Vice|NNP President|NNP told|VBD us|PRP they|PRP were|VBD not|RB aware|JJ of|IN the|DT issue|NN at|IN all|DT until|IN it|PRP surfaced|VBD much|JJ later|RB in|IN the|DT media|NNS .|. 
None|NN of|IN the|DT officials|NNS we|PRP interviewed|VBD recalled|VBD any|DT intervention|NN or|CC direction|NN on|IN this|DT matter|NN from|IN any|DT political|JJ appointee|NN .|. 

Third|NNP ,|, we|PRP believe|VBP that|IN the|DT FBI|NNP conducted|VBD a|DT satisfactory|JJ screening|NN of|IN Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS who|WP left|VBD the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS on|IN charter|NN flights|NNS .|. 

The|DT Saudi|JJ government|NN was|VBD advised|VBN of|IN and|CC agreed|VBD to|TO the|DT FBI|NNP 's|POS requirements|NNS that|IN passengers|NNS be|VB identified|VBN and|CC checked|VBN against|IN various|JJ databases|NNS before|IN the|DT flights|NNS departed|VBD .|. 
The|DT Federal|NNP Aviation|NNP Administration|NNP representative|NN working|VBG in|IN the|DT FBI|NNP operations|NNS center|VBP made|VBD sure|JJ that|IN the|DT FBI|NNP was|VBD aware|JJ of|IN the|DT flights|NNS of|IN Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS and|CC was|VBD able|JJ to|TO screen|VB the|DT passengers|NNS before|IN they|PRP were|VBD allowed|VBN to|TO depart|VB .|. 

The|DT FBI|NNP interviewed|VBD all|DT persons|NNS of|IN interest|NN on|IN these|DT flights|NNS prior|RB to|TO their|PRP$ departures|NNS .|. 
They|PRP concluded|VBD that|DT none|NN of|IN the|DT passengers|NNS was|VBD connected|VBN to|TO the|DT 9/11|CD attacks|NNS and|CC have|VBP since|IN found|VBN no|DT evidence|NN to|TO change|VB that|DT conclusion|NN .|. 
Our|PRP$ own|JJ independent|JJ review|NN of|IN the|DT Saudi|NNP nationals|NNS involved|VBN confirms|VBZ that|IN no|DT one|CD with|IN known|VBN links|NNS to|TO terrorism|NN departed|VBD on|IN these|DT flights|NNS .|. 

PLANNING|NNP FOR|IN WAR|NN 
By|IN late|RB in|IN the|DT evening|NN of|IN September|NNP 11|CD ,|, the|DT President|NNP had|VBD addressed|VBN the|DT nation|NN on|IN the|DT terrible|JJ events|NNS of|IN the|DT day|NN .|. 
Vice|NNP President|NNP Cheney|NNP described|VBD the|DT President|NNP 's|POS mood|NN as|IN somber|JJ .|. 
The|DT long|JJ day|NN was|VBD not|RB yet|RB over|IN .|. 
When|WRB the|DT larger|JJR meeting|NN that|WDT included|VBD his|PRP$ domestic|JJ department|NN heads|VBZ broke|VBD up|RB ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP chaired|VBD a|DT smaller|JJR meeting|NN of|IN top|JJ advisers|NNS ,|, a|DT group|NN he|PRP would|MD later|RB call|VB his|PRP$ "|'' war|NN council|NN .|. "|'' 
This|DT group|NN usually|RB included|VBD Vice|NNP President|NNP Cheney|NNP ,|, Secretary|NNP of|IN State|NNP Powell|NNP ,|, Secretary|NNP of|IN Defense|NNP Donald|NNP Rumsfeld|NNP ,|, General|NNP Hugh|NNP Shelton|NNP ,|, Vice|NNP Chairman|NNP of|IN the|DT Joint|NNP Chiefs|NNPS (|( later|RB to|TO become|VB chairman|NN )|) General|NNP Myers|NNP ,|, DCI|NNP Tenet|NNP ,|, Attorney|NNP General|NNP Ashcroft|NNP ,|, and|CC FBI|NNP Director|NNP Robert|NNP Mueller|NNP .|. 
From|IN the|DT White|NNP House|NNP staff|NN ,|, National|NNP Security|NNP Advisor|NNP Condoleezza|NNP Rice|NNP and|CC Chief|NNP of|IN Staff|NNP Card|NNP were|VBD part|NN of|IN the|DT core|NN group|NN ,|, often|RB joined|VBN by|IN their|PRP$ deputies|NNS ,|, Stephen|NNP Hadley|NNP and|CC Joshua|NNP Bolten|NNP .|. 

In|IN this|DT restricted|JJ National|NNP Security|NNP Council|NNP meeting|NN ,|, the|DT President|NNP said|VBD it|PRP was|VBD a|DT time|NN for|IN self-defense|JJ .|. 
The|DT United|NNP States|NNPS would|MD punish|VB not|RB just|RB the|DT perpetrators|NNS of|IN the|DT attacks|NNS ,|, but|CC also|RB those|DT who|WP harbored|JJ them|PRP .|. 
Secretary|NNP Powell|NNP said|VBD the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS had|VBD to|TO make|VB it|PRP clear|JJ to|TO Pakistan|NNP ,|, Afghanistan|NNP ,|, and|CC the|DT Arab|JJ states|NNS that|IN the|DT time|NN to|TO act|NN was|VBD now|RB .|. 
He|PRP said|VBD we|PRP would|MD need|VB to|TO build|VB a|DT coalition|NN .|. 
The|DT President|NNP noted|VBD that|IN the|DT attacks|NNS provided|VBD a|DT great|JJ opportunity|NN to|TO engage|VB Russia|NNP and|CC China|NNP .|. 
Secretary|NNP Rumsfeld|NNP urged|VBD the|DT President|NNP and|CC the|DT principals|NNS to|TO think|VB broadly|RB about|IN who|WP might|MD have|VB harbored|JJ the|DT attackers|NNS ,|, including|VBG Iraq|NNP ,|, Afghanistan|NNP ,|, Libya|NNP ,|, Sudan|NNP ,|, and|CC Iran|NNP .|. 
He|PRP wondered|VBD aloud|RB how|WRB much|JJ evidence|NN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS would|MD need|NN in|IN order|NN to|TO deal|VB with|IN these|DT countries|NNS ,|, pointing|VBG out|RP that|IN major|JJ strikes|NNS could|MD take|VB up|IN to|TO 60|CD days|NNS to|TO assemble|VB .|. 

President|NNP Bush|NNP chaired|VBD two|CD more|JJR meetings|NNS of|IN the|DT NSC|NNP on|IN September|NNP 12|CD .|. 
In|IN the|DT first|JJ meeting|NN ,|, he|PRP stressed|VBD that|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS was|VBD at|IN war|NN with|IN a|DT new|JJ and|CC different|JJ kind|NN of|IN enemy|NN .|. 
The|DT President|NNP tasked|JJ principals|NNS to|TO go|VB beyond|IN their|PRP$ pre-|NN 9/11|CD work|NN and|CC develop|VB a|DT strategy|NN to|TO eliminate|VB terrorists|NNS and|CC punish|VB those|DT who|WP support|VBP them|PRP .|. 
As|IN they|PRP worked|VBD on|IN defining|VBG the|DT goals|NNS and|CC objectives|NNS of|IN the|DT upcoming|JJ campaign|NN ,|, they|PRP considered|VBD a|DT paper|NN that|WDT went|VBD beyond|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP to|TO propose|VB the|DT "|'' elimination|NN of|IN terrorism|NN as|IN a|DT threat|NN to|TO our|PRP$ way|NN of|IN life|NN ,|, "|'' an|DT aim|NN that|WDT would|MD include|VB pursuing|VBG other|JJ international|JJ terrorist|JJ organizations|NNS in|IN the|DT Middle|NNP East|NNP .|. 

Rice|NNP chaired|VBD a|DT Principals|NNP Committee|NNP meeting|NN on|IN September|NNP 13|CD in|IN the|DT Situation|NNP Room|NNP to|TO refine|VB how|WRB the|DT fight|NN against|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP would|MD be|VB conducted|VBN .|. 
The|DT principals|NNS agreed|VBD that|IN the|DT overall|JJ message|NN should|MD be|VB that|DT anyone|NN supporting|VBG al|NN Qaeda|NNP would|MD risk|VB harm|NN .|. 
The|DT United|NNP States|NNPS would|MD need|VB to|TO integrate|VB diplomacy|NN ,|, financial|JJ measures|NNS ,|, intelligence|NN ,|, and|CC military|JJ actions|NNS into|IN an|DT overarching|VBG strategy|NN .|. 
The|DT principals|NNS also|RB focused|VBN on|IN Pakistan|NNP and|CC what|WP it|PRP could|MD do|VB to|TO turn|VB the|DT Taliban|NNP against|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP .|. 
They|PRP concluded|VBD that|IN if|IN Pakistan|NNP decided|VBD not|RB to|TO help|VB the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS ,|, it|PRP too|RB would|MD be|VB at|IN risk|NN .|. 

The|DT same|JJ day|NN ,|, Deputy|NNP Secretary|NNP of|IN State|NNP Richard|NNP Armitage|NNP met|VBD with|IN the|DT Pakistani|JJ ambassador|NN to|TO the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS ,|, Maleeha|NNP Lodhi|NNP ,|, and|CC the|DT visiting|VBG head|NN of|IN Pakistan|NNP 's|POS military|JJ intelligence|NN service|NN ,|, Mahmud|NNP Ahmed|NNP .|. 
Armitage|NNP said|VBD that|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS wanted|VBD Pakistan|NNP to|TO take|VB seven|CD steps|NNS :|: 

to|TO stop|VB al|NN Qaeda|NNP operatives|NNS at|IN its|PRP$ border|NN and|CC end|VB all|DT logistical|JJ support|NN for|IN Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP ;|: 
to|TO give|VB the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS blanket|NN overflight|NN and|CC landing|NN rights|NNS for|IN all|DT necessary|JJ military|NN and|CC intelligence|NN operations|NNS ;|: 
to|TO provide|VB territorial|NN access|NN to|TO U.S.|NN and|CC allied|VBD military|JJ intelligence|NN and|CC other|JJ personnel|NNS to|TO conduct|VB operations|NNS against|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP ;|: 
to|TO provide|VB the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS with|IN intelligence|NN information|NN ;|: 
to|TO continue|VB to|TO publicly|RB condemn|VB the|DT terrorist|JJ acts|NNS ;|: 
to|TO cut|VB off|RP all|DT shipments|NNS of|IN fuel|NN to|TO the|DT Taliban|NNP and|CC stop|VB recruits|VBZ from|IN going|VBG to|TO Afghanistan|NNP ;|: and|CC ,|, 
if|IN the|DT evidence|NN implicated|VBN bin|NN Ladin|NNP and|CC al|NN Qaeda|NNP and|CC the|DT Taliban|NNP continued|VBD to|TO harbor|NN them|PRP ,|, to|TO break|VB relations|NNS with|IN the|DT Taliban|NNP government|NN .|. 
Pakistan|NNP made|VBD its|PRP$ decision|NN swiftly|RB .|. 
That|DT afternoon|NN ,|, Secretary|NNP of|IN State|NNP Powell|NNP announced|VBD at|IN the|DT beginning|NN of|IN an|DT NSC|NNP meeting|NN that|IN Pakistani|NNP President|NNP Musharraf|NNP had|VBD agreed|VBN to|TO every|DT U.S.|NN request|NN for|IN support|NN in|IN the|DT war|NN on|IN terrorism|NN .|. 
The|DT next|JJ day|NN ,|, the|DT U.S.|NN embassy|NN in|IN Islamabad|NNP confirmed|VBD that|IN Musharraf|NNP and|CC his|PRP$ top|JJ military|JJ commanders|NNS had|VBD agreed|VBN to|TO all|DT seven|CD demands|NNS .|. "|'' 
Pakistan|NNP will|MD need|VB full|JJ US|NNP support|NN as|IN it|PRP proceeds|VBZ with|IN us|PRP ,|, "|'' the|DT embassy|NN noted|VBD .|. "|'' 
Musharraf|NNP said|VBD the|DT GOP|NNP [|NN government|NN of|IN Pakistan|NNP ]|NN was|VBD making|VBG substantial|JJ concessions|NNS in|IN allowing|VBG use|NN of|IN its|PRP$ territory|NN and|CC that|IN he|PRP would|MD pay|VB a|DT domestic|JJ price|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ standing|NN in|IN Pakistan|NNP was|VBD certain|JJ to|TO suffer|VB .|. 
To|TO counterbalance|NN that|IN he|PRP needed|VBD to|TO show|VB that|IN Pakistan|NNP was|VBD benefiting|VBG from|IN his|PRP$ decisions|NNS .|. "|'' 

At|IN the|DT September|NNP 13|CD NSC|NNP meeting|NN ,|, when|WRB Secretary|NNP Powell|NNP described|VBD Pakistan|NNP 's|POS reply|NN ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP led|VBD a|DT discussion|NN of|IN an|DT appropriate|JJ ultimatum|NN to|TO the|DT Taliban|NNP .|. 
He|PRP also|RB ordered|VBD Secretary|NNP Rumsfeld|NNP to|TO develop|VB a|DT military|JJ plan|NN against|IN the|DT Taliban|NNP .|. 
The|DT President|NNP wanted|VBD the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS to|TO strike|VB the|DT Taliban|NNP ,|, step|NN back|RB ,|, wait|VB to|TO see|VB if|IN they|PRP got|VBD the|DT message|NN ,|, and|CC hit|VBD them|PRP hard|RB if|IN they|PRP did|VBD not|RB .|. 
He|PRP made|VBD clear|JJ that|IN the|DT military|NN should|MD focus|VB on|IN targets|NNS that|WDT would|MD influence|VB the|DT Taliban|NNP 's|POS behavior|NN .|. 

President|NNP Bush|NNP also|RB tasked|JJ the|DT State|NNP Department|NNP ,|, which|WDT on|IN the|DT following|VBG day|NN delivered|VBN to|TO the|DT White|NNP House|NNP a|DT paper|NN titled|VBN "|'' Game|NNP Plan|NNP for|IN a|DT Political-|NNP Military|NNP Strategy|NNP for|IN Pakistan|NNP and|CC Afghanistan|NNP .|. "|'' 
The|DT paper|NN took|VBD it|PRP as|IN a|DT given|VBN that|IN Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP would|MD continue|VB to|TO act|VB against|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS even|RB while|IN under|IN Taliban|NNP control|NN .|. 
It|PRP therefore|RB detailed|JJ specific|JJ U.S.|NN demands|NNS for|IN the|DT Taliban|NNP :|: surrender|VB Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP and|CC his|PRP$ chief|JJ lieutenants|NNS ,|, including|VBG Ayman|NNP al|NN Zawahiri|NNP ;|: tell|VB the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS what|WP the|DT Taliban|NNP knew|VBD about|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP and|CC its|PRP$ operations|NNS ;|: close|VB all|DT terrorist|JJ camps|NNS ;|: free|VB all|DT imprisoned|VBN foreigners|NNS ;|: and|CC comply|VB with|IN all|DT UN|NNP Security|NNP Council|NNP resolutions|NNS .|. 

The|DT State|NNP Department|NNP proposed|VBD delivering|VBG an|DT ultimatum|NN to|TO the|DT Taliban|NNP :|: produce|VB Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP and|CC his|PRP$ deputies|NNS and|CC shut|VBD down|RB al|NN Qaeda|NNP camps|NNS within|IN 24|CD to|TO 48|CD hours|NNS ,|, or|CC the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS will|MD use|VB all|DT necessary|JJ means|VBZ to|TO destroy|VB the|DT terrorist|JJ infrastructure|NN .|. 
The|DT State|NNP Department|NNP did|VBD not|RB expect|VB the|DT Taliban|NNP to|TO comply|VB .|. 
Therefore|RB ,|, State|NNP and|CC Defense|NNP would|MD plan|VB to|TO build|VB an|DT international|JJ coalition|NN to|TO go|VB into|IN Afghanistan|NNP .|. 
Both|DT departments|NNS would|MD consult|VB with|IN NATO|NNP and|CC other|JJ allies|NNS and|CC request|NN intelligence|NN ,|, basing|VBG ,|, and|CC other|JJ support|NN from|IN countries|NNS ,|, according|VBG to|TO their|PRP$ capabilities|NNS and|CC resources|NNS .|. 
Finally|RB ,|, the|DT plan|NN detailed|JJ a|DT public|JJ U.S.|NN stance|NN :|: America|NNP would|MD use|VB all|DT its|PRP$ resources|NNS to|TO eliminate|VB terrorism|NN as|IN a|DT threat|NN ,|, punish|VB those|DT responsible|JJ for|IN the|DT 9/11|CD attacks|NNS ,|, hold|VB states|NNS and|CC other|JJ actors|NNS responsible|JJ for|IN providing|VBG sanctuary|NN to|TO terrorists|NNS ,|, work|NN with|IN a|DT coalition|NN to|TO eliminate|VB terrorist|JJ groups|NNS and|CC networks|NNS ,|, and|CC avoid|VB malice|NN toward|IN any|DT people|NNS ,|, religion|NN ,|, or|CC culture|NN .|. 

President|NNP Bush|NNP recalled|VBD that|IN he|PRP quickly|RB realized|VBD that|IN the|DT administration|NN would|MD have|VB to|TO invade|VB Afghanistan|NNP with|IN ground|NN troops|NNS .|. 

But|CC the|DT early|JJ briefings|NNS to|TO the|DT President|NNP and|CC Secretary|NNP Rumsfeld|NNP on|IN military|JJ options|NNS were|VBD disappointing|JJ .|. 
Tommy|NNP Franks|NNP ,|, the|DT commanding|JJ general|NN of|IN Central|NNP Command|NNP (|( CENTCOM|NNP )|) ,|, told|VBD us|PRP that|IN the|DT President|NNP was|VBD dissatisfied|JJ .|. 
The|DT U.S.|NN military|JJ ,|, Franks|NNP said|VBD ,|, did|VBD not|RB have|VB an|DT off-the-shelf|JJ plan|NN to|TO eliminate|VB the|DT al|NN Qaeda|NNP threat|NN in|IN Afghanistan|NNP .|. 
The|DT existing|VBG Infinite|NNP Resolve|NNP options|NNS did|VBD not|RB ,|, in|IN his|PRP$ view|NN ,|, amount|NN to|TO such|JJ a|DT plan|NN .|. 

All|DT these|DT diplomatic|JJ and|CC military|JJ plans|NNS were|VBD reviewed|VBN over|IN the|DT weekend|NN of|IN September|NNP 15|CD -|: 16|CD ,|, as|IN President|NNP Bush|NNP convened|VBD his|PRP$ war|NN council|NN at|IN Camp|NNP David|NNP .|. 

Present|VB were|VBD Vice|NNP President|NNP Cheney|NNP ,|, Rice|NNP ,|, Hadley|NNP ,|, Powell|NNP ,|, Armitage|NNP ,|, Rumsfeld|NNP ,|, Ashcroft|NNP ,|, Mueller|NNP ,|, Tenet|NNP ,|, Deputy|NNP Secretary|NNP of|IN Defense|NNP Paul|NNP Wolfowitz|NNP ,|, and|CC Cofer|NNP Black|NNP ,|, chief|NN of|IN the|DT DCI|NNP 's|POS Counterterrorist|NNP Center|NNP .|. 

Tenet|NNP described|VBD a|DT plan|NN for|IN collecting|VBG intelligence|NN and|CC mounting|VBG covert|JJ operations|NNS .|. 
He|PRP proposed|VBD inserting|VBG CIA|NNP teams|NNS into|IN Afghanistan|NNP to|TO work|VB with|IN Afghan|JJ warlords|NNS who|WP would|MD join|VB the|DT fight|NN against|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP .|. 
These|DT CIA|NNP teams|NNS would|MD act|VB jointly|RB with|IN the|DT military|NN 's|POS Special|JJ Operations|NNP units|NNS .|. 
President|NNP Bush|NNP later|RB praised|VBD this|DT proposal|NN ,|, saying|VBG it|PRP had|VBD been|VBN a|DT turning|NN point|NN in|IN his|PRP$ thinking|VBG .|. 

General|NNP Shelton|NNP briefed|VBD the|DT principals|NNS on|IN the|DT preliminary|JJ plan|NN for|IN Afghanistan|NNP that|IN the|DT military|NN had|VBD put|VBN together|RB .|. 
It|PRP drew|VBD on|IN the|DT Infinite|NNP Resolve|NNP "|'' phased|VBN campaign|NN "|'' plan|NN the|DT Pentagon|NNP had|VBD begun|VBN developing|VBG in|IN November|NNP 2000|CD as|IN an|DT addition|NN to|TO the|DT strike|NN options|NNS it|PRP had|VBD been|VBN refining|VBG since|IN 1998|CD .|. 
But|CC Shelton|NNP added|VBD a|DT new|JJ element-the|JJ possible|JJ significant|JJ use|NN of|IN ground|NN forces-|NN and|CC that|DT is|VBZ where|WRB President|NNP Bush|NNP reportedly|RB focused|VBD his|PRP$ attention|NN .|. 

After|IN hearing|NN from|IN his|PRP$ senior|JJ advisers|NNS ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP discussed|VBD with|IN Rice|NNP the|DT contents|NNS of|IN the|DT directives|NNS he|PRP would|MD issue|VB to|TO set|VB all|DT the|DT plans|NNS into|IN motion|NN .|. 
Rice|NNP prepared|VBD a|DT paper|NN that|IN President|NNP Bush|NNP then|RB considered|VBD with|IN principals|NNS on|IN Monday|NNP morning|NN ,|, September|NNP 17|CD .|. 
"|'' The|DT purpose|NN of|IN this|DT meeting|NN ,|, "|'' he|PRP recalled|VBD saying|VBG ,|, "|'' is|VBZ to|TO assign|VB tasks|NNS for|IN the|DT first|JJ wave|NN of|IN the|DT war|NN against|IN terrorism|NN .|. 
It|PRP starts|VBZ today|NN .|. "|'' 

In|IN a|DT written|VBN set|NN of|IN instructions|NNS slightly|RB refined|VBN during|IN the|DT morning|NN meeting|NN ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP charged|VBD Ashcroft|NNP ,|, Mueller|NNP ,|, and|CC Tenet|NNP to|TO develop|VB a|DT plan|NN for|IN homeland|NN defense|NN .|. 
President|NNP Bush|NNP directed|VBD Secretary|NNP of|IN State|NNP Powell|NNP to|TO deliver|VB an|DT ultimatum|NN to|TO the|DT Taliban|NNP along|IN the|DT lines|NNS that|IN his|PRP$ department|NN had|VBD originally|RB proposed|VBN .|. 
The|DT State|NNP Department|NNP was|VBD also|RB tasked|JJ to|TO develop|VB a|DT plan|NN to|TO stabilize|VB Pakistan|NNP and|CC to|TO be|VB prepared|VBN to|TO notify|VB Russia|NNP and|CC countries|NNS near|IN Afghanistan|NNP when|WRB hostilities|NNS were|VBD imminent|JJ .|. 

In|IN addition|NN ,|, Bush|NNP and|CC his|PRP$ advisers|NNS discussed|VBD new|JJ legal|JJ authorities|NNS for|IN covert|JJ action|NN in|IN Afghanistan|NNP ,|, including|VBG the|DT administration|NN 's|POS first|JJ Memorandum|NNP of|IN Notification|NNP on|IN Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP .|. 
Shortly|RB thereafter|RB ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP authorized|VBD broad|JJ new|JJ authorities|NNS for|IN the|DT CIA|NNP .|. 

President|NNP Bush|NNP instructed|VBD Rumsfeld|NNP and|CC Shelton|NNP to|TO develop|VB further|VB the|DT Camp|NNP David|NNP military|JJ plan|NN to|TO attack|VB the|DT Taliban|NNP and|CC al|NN Qaeda|NNP if|IN the|DT Taliban|NNP rejected|VBD the|DT ultimatum|NN .|. 
The|DT President|NNP also|RB tasked|JJ Rumsfeld|NNP to|TO ensure|VB that|IN robust|JJ measures|NNS to|TO protect|VB American|JJ military|JJ forces|NNS against|IN terrorist|JJ attack|NN were|VBD implemented|VBN worldwide|NN .|. 
Finally|RB ,|, he|PRP directed|VBD Treasury|NNP Secretary|NNP Paul|NNP O|NNP '|POS Neill|NNP to|TO craft|VB a|DT plan|NN to|TO target|VB al|NN Qaeda|NNP 's|POS funding|NN and|CC seize|VB its|PRP$ assets|NNS .|. 

NSC|NNP staff|NN members|NNS had|VBD begun|VBN leading|VBG meetings|NNS on|IN terrorist|JJ fund-raising|NN by|IN September|NNP 18|CD .|. 

Also|RB by|IN September|NNP 18|CD ,|, Powell|NNP had|VBD contacted|VBN 58|CD of|IN his|PRP$ foreign|JJ counterparts|NNS and|CC received|VBD offers|NNS of|IN general|JJ aid|NN ,|, search-and-rescue|JJ equipment|NN and|CC personnel|NNS ,|, and|CC medical|JJ assistance|NN teams|NNS .|. 

On|IN the|DT same|JJ day|NN ,|, Deputy|NNP Secretary|NNP of|IN State|NNP Armitage|NNP was|VBD called|VBN by|IN Mahmud|NNP Ahmed|NNP regarding|VBG a|DT two-day|JJ visit|NN to|TO Afghanistan|NNP during|IN which|WDT the|DT Pakistani|JJ intelligence|NN chief|NN had|VBD met|VBN with|IN Mullah|NNP Omar|NNP and|CC conveyed|VBD the|DT U.S.|NN demands|NNS .|. 
Omar|NNP 's|POS response|NN was|VBD "|'' not|RB negative|JJ on|IN all|PDT these|DT points|NNS .|. "|'' 
But|CC the|DT administration|NN knew|VBD that|DT theTaliban|NN was|VBD unlikely|JJ to|TO turn|VB over|RP Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP .|. 

The|DT pre-|NN 9/11|CD draft|NN presidential|JJ directive|NN on|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP evolved|VBD into|IN a|DT new|JJ directive|NN ,|, National|NNP Security|NNP Presidential|NNP Directive|NNP 9|CD ,|, now|RB titled|VBN "|'' Defeating|NNP the|DT Terrorist|NNP Threat|NNP to|TO the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS .|. "|'' 
The|DT directive|NN would|MD now|RB extend|VB to|TO a|DT global|JJ war|NN on|IN terrorism|NN ,|, not|RB just|RB on|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP .|. 
It|PRP also|RB incorporated|VBD the|DT President|NNP 's|POS determination|NN not|RB to|TO distinguish|VB between|IN terrorists|NNS and|CC those|DT who|WP harbor|VBP them|PRP .|. 
It|PRP included|VBD a|DT determination|NN to|TO use|VB military|JJ force|NN if|IN necessary|JJ to|TO end|VB al|NN Qaeda|NNP 's|POS sanctuary|NN in|IN Afghanistan|NNP .|. 
The|DT new|JJ directive-formally|JJ signed|VBN on|IN October|NNP 25|CD ,|, after|IN the|DT fighting|VBG in|IN Afghanistan|NNP had|VBD already|RB begun-included|JJ new|JJ material|NN followed|VBN by|IN annexes|NNS discussing|VBG each|DT targeted|VBN terrorist|JJ group|NN .|. 
The|DT old|JJ draft|NN directive|NN on|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP became|VBD ,|, in|IN effect|NN ,|, the|DT first|JJ annex|NN .|. 

The|DT United|NNP States|NNPS would|MD strive|VBP to|TO eliminate|VB all|DT terrorist|JJ networks|NNS ,|, dry|JJ up|RP their|PRP$ financial|JJ support|NN ,|, and|CC prevent|VB them|PRP from|IN acquiring|VBG weapons|NNS of|IN mass|NN destruction|NN .|. 
The|DT goal|NN was|VBD the|DT "|'' elimination|NN of|IN terrorism|NN as|IN a|DT threat|NN to|TO our|PRP$ way|NN of|IN life|NN .|. "|'' 

"|'' PHASE|NNP TWO|CD "|'' AND|CC THE|DT QUESTION|NNP OF|IN IRAQ|NNP 
President|NNP Bush|NNP had|VBD wondered|VBD immediately|RB after|IN the|DT attack|NN whether|IN Saddam|NNP Hussein|NNP 's|POS regime|NN might|MD have|VB had|VBD a|DT hand|NN in|IN it|PRP .|. 
Iraq|NNP had|VBD been|VBN an|DT enemy|NN of|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS for|IN 11|CD years|NNS ,|, and|CC was|VBD the|DT only|JJ place|NN in|IN the|DT world|NN where|WRB the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS was|VBD engaged|VBN in|IN ongoing|JJ combat|NN operations|NNS .|. 
As|IN a|DT former|JJ pilot|NN ,|, the|DT President|NNP was|VBD struck|VBN by|IN the|DT apparent|JJ sophistication|NN of|IN the|DT operation|NN and|CC some|DT of|IN the|DT piloting|VBG ,|, especially|RB Hanjour|NNP 's|POS high-speed|JJ dive|NN into|IN the|DT Pentagon|NNP .|. 
He|PRP told|VBD us|PRP he|PRP recalled|VBD Iraqi|JJ support|NN for|IN Palestinian|JJ suicide|NN terrorists|NNS as|RB well|RB .|. 
Speculating|NNP about|IN other|JJ possible|JJ states|NNS that|WDT could|MD be|VB involved|VBN ,|, the|DT President|NNP told|VBD us|PRP he|PRP also|RB thought|VBD about|IN Iran|NNP .|. 

Clarke|NNP has|VBZ written|VBN that|IN on|IN the|DT evening|NN of|IN September|NNP 12|CD ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP told|VBD him|PRP and|CC some|DT of|IN his|PRP$ staff|NN to|TO explore|VB possible|JJ Iraqi|JJ links|NNS to|TO 9/11|CD .|. 
"|'' See|VB if|IN Saddam|NNP did|VBD this|DT ,|, "|'' Clarke|NNP recalls|VBZ the|DT President|NNP telling|VBG them|PRP .|. "|'' 
See|VB if|IN he|PRP 's|VBZ linked|VBN in|IN any|DT way|NN .|. "|'' 
While|IN he|PRP believed|VBD the|DT details|NNS of|IN Clarke|NNP 's|POS account|NN to|TO be|VB incorrect|JJ ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP acknowledged|VBD that|IN he|PRP might|MD well|RB have|VB spoken|VBN to|TO Clarke|NNP at|IN some|DT point|NN ,|, asking|VBG him|PRP about|IN Iraq|NNP .|. 

Responding|VBG to|TO a|DT presidential|JJ tasking|VBG ,|, Clarke|NNP 's|POS office|NN sent|VBD a|DT memo|NN to|TO Rice|NNP on|IN September|NNP 18|CD ,|, titled|VBN "|'' Survey|NN of|IN Intelligence|NNP Information|NNP on|IN Any|DT Iraq|NNP Involvement|NNP in|IN the|DT September|NNP 11|CD Attacks|NNS .|. "|'' 
Rice|NNP 's|POS chief|JJ staffer|NN on|IN Afghanistan|NNP ,|, Zalmay|NNP Khalilzad|NNP ,|, concurred|VBD in|IN its|PRP$ conclusion|NN that|IN only|RB some|DT anecdotal|JJ evidence|NN linked|VBD Iraq|NNP to|TO al|NN Qaeda|NNP .|. 
The|DT memo|NN found|VBD no|DT "|'' compelling|JJ case|NN "|'' that|IN Iraq|NNP had|VBD either|CC planned|VBN or|CC perpetrated|VBN the|DT attacks|NNS .|. 
It|PRP passed|VBD along|IN a|DT few|JJ foreign|JJ intelligence|NN reports|NNS ,|, including|VBG the|DT Czech|JJ report|NN alleging|VBG an|DT April|NNP 2001|CD Prague|NNP meeting|NN between|IN Atta|NNP and|CC an|DT Iraqi|JJ intelligence|NN officer|NN (|( discussed|VBN in|IN chapter|NN 7|CD )|) and|CC a|DT Polish|JJ report|NN that|IN personnel|NNS at|IN the|DT headquarters|NN of|IN Iraqi|JJ intelligence|NN in|IN Baghdad|NNP were|VBD told|VBN before|IN September|NNP 11|CD to|TO go|VB on|IN the|DT streets|NNS to|TO gauge|VB crowd|NN reaction|NN to|TO an|DT unspecified|JJ event|NN .|. 
Arguing|VBG that|IN the|DT case|NN for|IN links|NNS between|IN Iraq|NNP and|CC al|NN Qaeda|NNP was|VBD weak|JJ ,|, the|DT memo|NN pointed|VBD out|RP that|IN Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP resented|VBD the|DT secularism|NN of|IN Saddam|NNP Hussein|NNP 's|POS regime|NN .|. 
Finally|RB ,|, the|DT memo|NN said|VBD ,|, there|EX was|VBD no|DT confirmed|VBD reporting|VBG on|IN Saddam|NNP cooperating|VBG with|IN Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP on|IN unconventional|JJ weapons|NNS .|. 

On|IN the|DT afternoon|NN of|IN 9/11|CD ,|, according|VBG to|TO contemporaneous|JJ notes|NNS ,|, Secretary|NNP Rumsfeld|NNP instructed|VBD General|NNP Myers|NNP to|TO obtain|VB quickly|RB as|IN much|JJ information|NN as|IN possible|JJ .|. 
The|DT notes|NNS indicate|VBP that|IN he|PRP also|RB told|VBD Myers|NNP that|IN he|PRP was|VBD not|RB simply|RB interested|JJ in|IN striking|JJ empty|JJ training|NN sites|NNS .|. 
He|PRP thought|VBD the|DT U.S.|NN response|NN should|MD consider|VB a|DT wide|JJ range|NN of|IN options|NNS and|CC possibilities|NNS .|. 
The|DT secretary|NN said|VBD his|PRP$ instinct|NN was|VBD to|TO hit|VB Saddam|NNP Hussein|NNP at|IN the|DT same|JJ time-not|JJ only|RB Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP .|. 
Secretary|NNP Rumsfeld|NNP later|RB explained|VBD that|IN at|IN the|DT time|NN ,|, he|PRP had|VBD been|VBN considering|VBG either|CC one|CD of|IN them|PRP ,|, or|CC perhaps|RB someone|NN else|RB ,|, as|IN the|DT responsible|JJ party|NN .|. 

According|VBG to|TO Rice|NNP ,|, the|DT issue|NN of|IN what|WP ,|, if|IN anything|NN ,|, to|TO do|VB about|IN Iraq|NNP was|VBD really|RB engaged|VBN at|IN Camp|NNP David|NNP .|. 
Briefing|NNP papers|NNS on|IN Iraq|NNP ,|, along|IN with|IN many|JJ others|NNS ,|, were|VBD in|IN briefing|NN materials|NNS for|IN the|DT participants|NNS .|. 
Rice|NNP told|VBD us|PRP the|DT administration|NN was|VBD concerned|VBN that|IN Iraq|NNP would|MD take|VB advantage|NN of|IN the|DT 9/11|CD attacks|NNS .|. 
She|PRP recalled|VBD that|IN in|IN the|DT first|JJ Camp|NNP David|NNP session|NN chaired|VBN by|IN the|DT President|NNP ,|, Rumsfeld|NNP asked|VBD what|WP the|DT administration|NN should|MD do|VB about|IN Iraq|NNP .|. 
Deputy|NNP Secretary|NNP Wolfowitz|NNP made|VBD the|DT case|NN for|IN striking|JJ Iraq|NNP during|IN "|'' this|DT round|NN "|'' of|IN the|DT war|NN on|IN terrorism|NN .|. 

A|DT Defense|NNP Department|NNP paper|NN for|IN the|DT Camp|NNP David|NNP briefing|NN book|NN on|IN the|DT strategic|JJ concept|NN for|IN the|DT war|NN on|IN terrorism|NN specified|VBD three|CD priority|NN targets|NNS for|IN initial|JJ action|NN :|: al|NN Qaeda|NNP ,|, theTaliban|NN ,|, and|CC Iraq|NNP .|. 
It|PRP argued|VBD that|IN of|IN the|DT three|CD ,|, al|NN Qaeda|NNP and|CC Iraq|NNP posed|VBD a|DT strategic|JJ threat|NN to|TO the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS .|. 
Iraq|NNP 's|POS long-standing|JJ involvement|NN in|IN terrorism|NN was|VBD cited|VBN ,|, along|IN with|IN its|PRP$ interest|NN in|IN weapons|NNS of|IN mass|NN destruction|NN .|. 

Secretary|NNP Powell|NNP recalled|VBD that|IN Wolfowitz-not|NNP Rumsfeld-argued|NNP that|IN Iraq|NNP was|VBD ultimately|RB the|DT source|NN of|IN the|DT terrorist|JJ problem|NN and|CC should|MD therefore|RB be|VB attacked|VBN .|. 

Powell|NNP said|VBD that|IN Wolfowitz|NNP was|VBD not|RB able|JJ to|TO justify|VB his|PRP$ belief|NN that|IN Iraq|NNP was|VBD behind|IN 9/11|CD .|. 
"|'' Paul|NNP was|VBD always|RB of|IN the|DT view|NN that|IN Iraq|NNP was|VBD a|DT problem|NN that|WDT had|VBD to|TO be|VB dealt|VBN with|IN ,|, "|'' Powell|NNP told|VBD us|PRP .|. "|'' 
And|CC he|PRP saw|VBD this|DT as|IN one|CD way|NN of|IN using|VBG this|DT event|NN as|IN a|DT way|NN to|TO deal|VB with|IN the|DT Iraq|NNP problem|NN .|. "|'' 
Powell|NNP said|VBD that|IN President|NNP Bush|NNP did|VBD not|RB give|VB Wolfowitz|NNP 's|POS argument|NN "|'' much|JJ weight|NN .|. "|'' 
Though|IN continuing|VBG to|TO worry|VB about|IN Iraq|NNP in|IN the|DT following|VBG week|NN ,|, Powell|NNP said|VBD ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP saw|VBD Afghanistan|NNP as|IN the|DT priority|NN .|. 

President|NNP Bush|NNP told|VBD Bob|NNP Woodward|NNP that|IN the|DT decision|NN not|RB to|TO invade|VB Iraq|NNP was|VBD made|VBN at|IN the|DT morning|NN session|NN on|IN September|NNP 15|CD .|. 
Iraq|NNP was|VBD not|RB even|RB on|IN the|DT table|NN during|IN the|DT September|NNP 15|CD afternoon|NN session|NN ,|, which|WDT dealt|VBD solely|RB with|IN Afghanistan|NNP .|. 

Rice|NNP said|VBD that|IN when|WRB President|NNP Bush|NNP called|VBD her|PRP on|IN Sunday|NNP ,|, September|NNP 16|CD ,|, he|PRP said|VBD the|DT focus|NN would|MD be|VB on|IN Afghanistan|NNP ,|, although|IN he|PRP still|RB wanted|VBD plans|NNS for|IN Iraq|NNP should|MD the|DT country|NN take|VBP some|DT action|NN or|CC the|DT administration|NN eventually|RB determine|VB that|IN it|PRP had|VBD been|VBN involved|VBN in|IN the|DT 9/11|CD attacks|NNS .|. 

At|IN the|DT September|NNP 17|CD NSC|NNP meeting|NN ,|, there|EX was|VBD some|DT further|JJ discussion|NN of|IN "|'' phase|NN two|CD "|'' of|IN the|DT war|NN on|IN terrorism|NN .|. 

President|NNP Bush|NNP ordered|VBD the|DT Defense|NNP Department|NNP to|TO be|VB ready|JJ to|TO deal|VB with|IN Iraq|NNP if|IN Baghdad|NNP acted|VBD against|IN U.S.|NN interests|NNS ,|, with|IN plans|NNS to|TO include|VB possibly|RB occupying|VBG Iraqi|JJ oil|NN fields|NNS .|. 

Within|IN the|DT Pentagon|NNP ,|, Deputy|NNP Secretary|NNP Wolfowitz|NNP continued|VBD to|TO press|VB the|DT case|NN for|IN dealing|VBG with|IN Iraq|NNP .|. 
Writing|VBG to|TO Rumsfeld|NNP on|IN September|NNP 17|CD in|IN a|DT memo|NN headlined|VBN "|'' Preventing|NNP More|JJR Events|NNS ,|, "|'' he|PRP argued|VBD that|IN if|IN there|EX was|VBD even|RB a|DT 10|CD percent|NN chance|NN that|IN Saddam|NNP Hussein|NNP was|VBD behind|IN the|DT 9/11|CD attack|NN ,|, maximum|NN priority|NN should|MD be|VB placed|VBN on|IN eliminating|VBG that|DT threat|NN .|. 
Wolfowitz|NNP contended|VBD that|IN the|DT odds|NNS were|VBD "|'' far|RB more|JJR "|'' than|IN 1|CD in|IN 10|CD ,|, citing|VBG Saddam|NNP 's|POS praise|NN for|IN the|DT attack|NN ,|, his|PRP$ long|JJ record|NN of|IN involvement|NN in|IN terrorism|NN ,|, and|CC theories|NNS that|IN Ramzi|NNP Yousef|NNP was|VBD an|DT Iraqi|JJ agent|NN and|CC Iraq|NNP was|VBD behind|IN the|DT 1993|CD attack|NN on|IN the|DT World|NNP Trade|NNP Center|NNP .|. 
The|DT next|JJ day|NN ,|, Wolfowitz|NNP renewed|VBD the|DT argument|NN ,|, writing|VBG to|TO Rumsfeld|NNP about|IN the|DT interest|NN of|IN Yousef|NNP 's|POS co-conspirator|JJ in|IN the|DT 1995|CD Manila|NNP air|NN plot|NN in|IN crashing|VBG an|DT explosives-laden|JJ plane|NN into|IN CIA|NNP headquarters|NN ,|, and|CC about|IN information|NN from|IN a|DT foreign|JJ government|NN regarding|VBG Iraqis|NNP '|POS involvement|NN in|IN the|DT attempted|VBN hijacking|VBG of|IN a|DT Gulf|NNP Air|NNP flight|NN .|. 
Given|VBN this|DT background|NN ,|, he|PRP wondered|VBD why|WRB so|RB little|RB thought|NN had|VBD been|VBN devoted|VBN to|TO the|DT danger|NN of|IN suicide|NN pilots|NNS ,|, seeing|VBG a|DT "|'' failure|NN of|IN imagination|NN "|'' and|CC a|DT mind-set|NN that|WDT dismissed|VBD possibilities|NNS .|. 

On|IN September|NNP 19|CD ,|, Rumsfeld|NNP offered|VBD several|JJ thoughts|NNS for|IN his|PRP$ commanders|NNS as|IN they|PRP worked|VBD on|IN their|PRP$ contingency|NN plans|NNS .|. 
Though|IN he|PRP emphasized|VBD the|DT worldwide|NN nature|NN of|IN the|DT conflict|NN ,|, the|DT references|NNS to|TO specific|JJ enemies|NNS or|CC regions|NNS named|VBN only|RB the|DT Taliban|NNP ,|, al|NN Qaeda|NNP ,|, and|CC Afghanistan|NNP .|. 

Shelton|NNP told|VBD us|PRP the|DT administration|NN reviewed|VBD all|PDT the|DT Pentagon|NNP 's|POS war|NN plans|NNS and|CC challenged|VBN certain|JJ assumptions|NNS underlying|VBG them|PRP ,|, as|IN any|DT prudent|JJ organization|NN or|CC leader|NN should|MD do|VB .|. 

General|NNP Tommy|NNP Franks|NNP ,|, the|DT commanding|JJ general|NN of|IN Central|NNP Command|NNP ,|, recalled|VBD receiving|VBG Rumsfeld|NNP 's|POS guidance|NN that|IN each|DT regional|JJ commander|NN should|MD assess|VB what|WP these|DT plans|NNS meant|VBN for|IN his|PRP$ area|NN of|IN responsibility|NN .|. 
He|PRP knew|VBD he|PRP would|MD soon|RB be|VB striking|VBG the|DT Taliban|NNP and|CC al|NN Qaeda|NNP in|IN Afghanistan|NNP .|. 
But|CC ,|, he|PRP told|VBD us|PRP ,|, he|PRP now|RB wondered|VBD how|WRB that|DT action|NN was|VBD connected|VBN to|TO what|WP might|MD need|VB to|TO be|VB done|VBN in|IN Somalia|NNP ,|, Yemen|NNP ,|, or|CC Iraq|NNP .|. 

On|IN September|NNP 20|CD ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP met|VBD with|IN British|NNP Prime|NNP Minister|NNP Tony|NNP Blair|NNP ,|, and|CC the|DT two|CD leaders|NNS discussed|VBD the|DT global|JJ conflict|NN ahead|RB .|. 
When|WRB Blair|NNP asked|VBD about|IN Iraq|NNP ,|, the|DT President|NNP replied|VBD that|IN Iraq|NNP was|VBD not|RB the|DT immediate|JJ problem|NN .|. 
Some|DT members|NNS of|IN his|PRP$ administration|NN ,|, he|PRP commented|VBD ,|, had|VBD expressed|VBN a|DT different|JJ view|NN ,|, but|CC he|PRP was|VBD the|DT one|CD responsible|JJ for|IN making|VBG the|DT decisions|NNS .|. 

Franks|NNP told|VBD us|PRP that|IN he|PRP was|VBD pushing|VBG independently|RB to|TO do|VB more|RBR robust|JJ planning|NN on|IN military|JJ responses|NNS in|IN Iraq|NNP during|IN the|DT summer|NN before|IN 9/11|CD -|: a|DT request|NN President|NNP Bush|NNP denied|VBD ,|, arguing|VBG that|IN the|DT time|NN was|VBD not|RB right|JJ .|. 
(|( CENTCOM|NNP also|RB began|VBD dusting|VBG off|RP plans|NNS for|IN a|DT full|JJ invasion|NN of|IN Iraq|NNP during|IN this|DT period|NN ,|, Franks|NNP said|VBD .|. )|) 
The|DT CENTCOM|NNP commander|NN told|VBD us|PRP he|PRP renewed|VBD his|PRP$ appeal|NN for|IN further|JJ military|JJ planning|NN to|TO respond|VB to|TO Iraqi|JJ moves|NNS shortly|RB after|IN 9/11|CD ,|, both|DT because|IN he|PRP personally|RB felt|VBD that|IN Iraq|NNP and|CC al|NN Qaeda|NNP might|MD be|VB engaged|VBN in|IN some|DT form|NN of|IN collusion|NN and|CC because|IN he|PRP worried|VBD that|IN Saddam|NNP might|MD take|VB advantage|NN of|IN the|DT attacks|NNS to|TO move|VB against|IN his|PRP$ internal|JJ enemies|NNS in|IN the|DT northern|JJ or|CC southern|JJ parts|NNS of|IN Iraq|NNP ,|, where|WRB the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS was|VBD flying|VBG regular|JJ missions|NNS to|TO enforce|VB Iraqi|JJ no-fly|JJ zones|NNS .|. 
Franks|NNP said|VBD that|IN President|NNP Bush|NNP again|RB turned|VBD down|RP the|DT request|NN .|. 

Having|VBG issued|VBN directives|NNS to|TO guide|VB his|PRP$ administration|NN 's|POS preparations|NNS for|IN war|NN ,|, on|IN Thursday|NNP ,|, September|NNP 20|CD ,|, President|NNP Bush|NNP addressed|VBD the|DT nation|NN before|IN a|DT joint|JJ session|NN of|IN Congress|NNP .|. "|'' 
Tonight|RB ,|, "|'' he|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' we|PRP are|VBP a|DT country|NN awakened|VBN to|TO danger|NN .|. "|'' 
The|DT President|NNP blamed|VBD al|NN Qaeda|NNP for|IN 9/11|CD and|CC the|DT 1998|CD embassy|NN bombings|NNS and|CC ,|, for|IN the|DT first|JJ time|NN ,|, declared|VBD that|DT al|NN Qaeda|NNP was|VBD "|'' responsible|JJ for|IN bombing|NN the|DT USS|NNP Cole|NNP .|. "|'' 
He|PRP reiterated|VBD the|DT ultimatum|NN that|WDT had|VBD already|RB been|VBN conveyed|VBD privately|RB .|. "|'' 
The|DT Taliban|NNP must|MD act|VB ,|, and|CC act|NN immediately|RB ,|, "|'' he|PRP said|VBD .|. "|'' 
They|PRP will|MD hand|VB over|IN the|DT terrorists|NNS ,|, or|CC they|PRP will|MD share|VB in|IN their|PRP$ fate|NN .|. "|'' 
The|DT President|NNP added|VBD that|IN America|NNP 's|POS quarrel|VB was|VBD not|RB with|IN Islam|NNP :|: "|'' The|DT enemy|NN of|IN America|NNP is|VBZ not|RB our|PRP$ many|JJ Muslim|NNP friends|NNS ;|: it|PRP is|VBZ not|RB our|PRP$ many|JJ Arab|JJ friends|NNS .|. 
Our|PRP$ enemy|NN is|VBZ a|DT radical|JJ network|NN of|IN terrorists|NNS ,|, and|CC every|DT government|NN that|WDT supports|VBZ them|PRP .|. "|'' 
Other|JJ regimes|NNS faced|VBD hard|JJ choices|NNS ,|, he|PRP pointed|VBD out|IN :|: "|'' Every|DT nation|NN ,|, in|IN every|DT region|NN ,|, now|RB has|VBZ a|DT decision|NN to|TO make|VB :|: Either|CC you|PRP are|VBP with|IN us|PRP ,|, or|CC you|PRP are|VBP with|IN the|DT terrorists|NNS .|. "|'' 

President|NNP Bush|NNP argued|VBD that|IN the|DT new|JJ war|NN went|VBD beyond|IN Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP .|. 
"|'' Our|PRP$ war|NN on|IN terror|NN begins|VBZ with|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP ,|, but|CC it|PRP does|VBZ not|RB end|VB there|RB ,|, "|'' he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
"|'' It|PRP will|MD not|RB end|VB until|IN every|DT terrorist|JJ group|NN of|IN global|JJ reach|NN has|VBZ been|VBN found|VBN ,|, stopped|VBD ,|, and|CC defeated|VBD .|. "|'' 
The|DT President|NNP had|VBD a|DT message|NN for|IN the|DT Pentagon|NNP :|: "|'' The|DT hour|NN is|VBZ coming|VBG when|WRB America|NNP will|MD act|VB ,|, and|CC you|PRP will|MD make|VB us|PRP proud|JJ .|. "|'' 
He|PRP also|RB had|VBD a|DT message|NN for|IN those|DT outside|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS .|. 
"|'' This|DT is|VBZ civilization|NN 's|POS fight|NN ,|, "|'' he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
"|'' We|PRP ask|VBP every|DT nation|NN to|TO join|VB us|PRP .|. "|'' 

President|NNP Bush|NNP approved|VBD military|JJ plans|NNS to|TO attack|VB Afghanistan|NNP in|IN meetings|NNS with|IN Central|NNP Command|NNP 's|POS General|NNP Franks|NNP and|CC other|JJ advisers|NNS on|IN September|NNP 21|CD and|CC October|NNP 2|CD .|. 
Originally|RB titled|VBN "|'' Infinite|NNP Justice|NNP ,|, "|'' the|DT operation|NN 's|POS code|NN word|NN was|VBD changed-to|JJ avoid|VB the|DT sensibilities|NNS of|IN Muslims|NNPS who|WP associate|JJ the|DT power|NN of|IN infinite|NN justice|NN with|IN God|NNP alone-to|JJ the|DT operational|JJ name|NN still|RB used|VBD for|IN operations|NNS in|IN Afghanistan|NNP :|: "|'' Enduring|NNP Freedom|NNP .|. "|'' 

The|DT plan|NN had|VBD four|CD phases|NNS .|. 

In|IN Phase|NN One|CD ,|, the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS and|CC its|PRP$ allies|NNS would|MD move|VB forces|NNS into|IN the|DT region|NN and|CC arrange|VB to|TO operate|VB from|IN or|CC over|IN neighboring|VBG countries|NNS such|JJ as|IN Uzbekistan|NNP and|CC Pakistan|NNP .|. 
This|DT occurred|VBD in|IN the|DT weeks|NNS following|VBG 9/11|CD ,|, aided|VBN by|IN overwhelming|JJ international|JJ sympathy|NN for|IN the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS .|. 
In|IN Phase|NN Two|CD ,|, air|NN strikes|NNS and|CC Special|JJ Operations|NNP attacks|NNS would|MD hit|VB key|JJ al|NN Qaeda|NNP and|CC Taliban|NNP targets|NNS .|. 
In|IN an|DT innovative|JJ joint|JJ effort|NN ,|, CIA|NNP and|CC Special|JJ Operations|NNP forces|NNS would|MD be|VB deployed|VBN to|TO work|VB together|RB with|IN each|DT major|JJ Afghan|JJ faction|NN opposed|VBN to|TO the|DT Taliban|NNP .|. 
The|DT Phase|NN Two|CD strikes|NNS and|CC raids|NNS began|VBD on|IN October|NNP 7|CD .|. The|DT basing|VBG arrangements|NNS contemplated|VBN for|IN Phase|NN One|CD were|VBD substantially|RB secured-after|JJ arduous|JJ effort-by|JJ the|DT end|NN of|IN that|DT month|NN .|. 
In|IN Phase|NN Three|CD ,|, the|DT United|NNP States|NNPS would|MD carry|VB out|IN "|'' decisive|JJ operations|NNS "|'' using|VBG all|DT elements|NNS of|IN national|JJ power|NN ,|, including|VBG ground|NN troops|NNS ,|, to|TO topple|VB the|DT Taliban|NNP regime|NN and|CC eliminate|VB al|NN Qaeda|NNP 's|POS sanctuary|NN in|IN Afghanistan|NNP .|. 
Mazar-e-|NNP Sharif|NNP ,|, in|IN northern|JJ Afghanistan|NNP ,|, fell|VBD to|TO a|DT coalition|NN assault|NN by|IN Afghan|JJ and|CC U.S.|NN forces|NNS on|IN November|NNP 9|CD .|. Four|CD days|NNS later|RB the|DT Taliban|NNP had|VBD fled|VBN from|IN Kabul|NNP .|. 
By|IN early|JJ December|NNP ,|, all|DT major|JJ cities|NNS had|VBD fallen|VBN to|TO the|DT coalition|NN .|. 
On|IN December|NNP 22|CD ,|, Hamid|NNP Karzai|NNP ,|, a|DT Pashtun|NNP leader|NN from|IN Kandahar|NNP ,|, was|VBD installed|VBN as|IN the|DT chairman|NN of|IN Afghanistan|NNP 's|POS interim|JJ administration|NN .|. 
Afghanistan|NNP had|VBD been|VBN liberated|VBD from|IN the|DT rule|NN of|IN the|DT Taliban|NNP .|. 
In|IN December|NNP 2001|CD ,|, Afghan|JJ forces|NNS ,|, with|IN limited|JJ U.S.|NN support|NN ,|, engaged|VBN al|NN Qaeda|NNP elements|NNS in|IN a|DT cave|NN complex|JJ called|VBN Tora|NNP Bora|NNP .|. 
In|IN March|NNP 2002|CD ,|, the|DT largest|JJS engagement|NN of|IN the|DT war|NN was|VBD fought|VBN ,|, in|IN the|DT mountainous|JJ Shah-i-|NNP Kot|NNP area|NN south|RB of|IN Gardez|NNP ,|, against|IN a|DT large|JJ force|NN of|IN al|NN Qaeda|NNP jihadists|NNS .|. 
The|DT three-week|JJ battle|NN was|VBD substantially|RB successful|JJ ,|, and|CC almost|RB all|DT remaining|VBG al|NN Qaeda|NNP forces|NNS took|VBD refuge|NN in|IN Pakistan|NNP 's|POS equally|RB mountainous|JJ and|CC lightly|RB governed|VBN frontier|NN provinces|NNS .|. 
As|IN of|IN July|NNP 2004|CD ,|, Bin|NNP Ladin|NNP and|CC Zawahiri|NNP are|VBP still|RB believed|VBN to|TO be|VB at|IN large|JJ .|. 

In|IN Phase|NN Four|CD ,|, civilian|JJ and|CC military|JJ operations|NNS turned|VBD to|TO the|DT indefinite|JJ task|NN of|IN what|WP the|DT armed|VBN forces|NNS call|VBP "|'' security|NN and|CC stability|NN operations|NNS .|. "|'' 
Within|IN about|IN two|CD months|NNS of|IN the|DT start|NN of|IN combat|NN operations|NNS ,|, several|JJ hundred|CD CIA|NNP operatives|NNS and|CC Special|JJ Forces|NNS soldiers|NNS ,|, backed|VBN by|IN the|DT striking|JJ power|NN of|IN U.S.|NN aircraft|NN and|CC a|DT much|RB larger|JJR infrastructure|NN of|IN intelligence|NN and|CC support|NN efforts|NNS ,|, had|VBD combined|VBN with|IN Afghan|JJ militias|NNS and|CC a|DT small|JJ number|NN of|IN other|JJ coalition|NN soldiers|NNS to|TO destroy|VB theTaliban|NN regime|NN and|CC disrupt|VB al|NN Qaeda|NNP .|. 
They|PRP had|VBD killed|VBN or|CC captured|VBN about|IN a|DT quarter|NN of|IN the|DT enemy|NN 's|POS known|VBN leaders|NNS .|. 
Mohammed|NNP Atef|NNP ,|, al|NN Qaeda|NNP 's|POS military|JJ commander|NN and|CC a|DT principal|JJ figure|NN in|IN the|DT 9/11|CD plot|NN ,|, had|VBD been|VBN killed|VBN by|IN a|DT U.S.|NN air|NN strike|NN .|. 
According|VBG to|TO a|DT senior|JJ CIA|NNP officer|NN who|WP helped|VBD devise|VB the|DT overall|JJ strategy|NN ,|, the|DT CIA|NNP provided|VBD intelligence|NN ,|, experience|NN ,|, cash|NN ,|, covert|JJ action|NN capabilities|NNS ,|, and|CC entrée|NN to|TO tribal|NN allies|NNS .|. 
In|IN turn|NN ,|, the|DT U.S.|NN military|JJ offered|VBN combat|NN expertise|NN ,|, firepower|NN ,|, logistics|NNS ,|, and|CC communications|NNS .|. 

With|IN these|DT initial|JJ victories|NNS won|VBN by|IN the|DT middle|NN of|IN 2002|CD ,|, the|DT global|JJ conflict|NN against|IN Islamist|NNP terrorism|NN became|VBD a|DT different|JJ kind|NN of|IN struggle|NN .|. 

