(scroll down for the letter) http://www.thedigitaldominion.com/press/news2001/terr0510.cfm For Immediate Release May 10, 2001 Chairman of National Terrorism Panel Pledges Support to Bush Administration Toward Improving the Nation's Preparedness for Terrorism RICHMOND - Governor Jim Gilmore, Chairman of the Congressionally created Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction, pledged today to assist Vice President Dick Cheney in his efforts to develop recommendations for the President on how to improve the nation's preparedness for terrorism. President Bush announced Tuesday that Cheney would lead a task force to develop recommendations, due to him by October, on how to improve the nation's readiness. "After eight years of inaction on the part of the executive branch, President Bush is to be commended for taking a leadership role in addressing this complex national public policy issue quickly and thoroughly," said Governor Gilmore in a phone call with Vice-President Cheney earlier today. "For two years, my Panel has labored with many of the same questions, and we stand ready to provide our assistance and expertise so the Administration can focus on the larger strategic terrorism issues, including implementing needed changes." Governor Gilmore's Advisory Panel has delivered two full reports to the President and Congress and is due to complete its third and final year of work by December 15. Key to the Panel's recommendations is the need for a national strategy as well as better coordination among the Executive Branch and Congress on an issue that cuts across "virtually every area and function of the federal government and requires the active engagement of states and communities." RAND Corp. is providing staff and research support for the panel. Governor Gilmore noted that the President's announcement as well as recent House and Senate hearings clearly indicate that the Gilmore Commission "has accurately framed the nature of problems" and the President and Congressional leadership are "serving the people well by focusing on solving problems." Governor Gilmore, as a former military intelligence agent, noted that "the world has changed and I think President Bush has shown that he realizes we must change how government does business in terms of national security if we are to remain a world leader." He also said that preparing the nation to address the terrorist threat would require "unparalleled cooperation and coordination by all segments of government and the private sector." "Terrorism has long been viewed as purely a federal issue but the bombing of the Murah Federal Building and World Trade Center serve as stark reminders that acts of domestic terrorism will affect our states and communities and we must ensure our readiness is coordinated," Governor Gilmore said. "Protecting the civil liberties of our citizens requires that we address the hard-to-answer questions now so that in the frenzy of an attack we do not make well intentioned decisions with potentially unintended consequences," Governor Gilmore said. (Please find below a copy of Governor Gilmore's letter to Vice President Cheney.) May 10, 2001 The Honorable Richard B. Cheney Vice President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20501 Dear Mr. Vice President: Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this morning on the very important and immediate issue of domestic terrorism. As we discussed, since early 1999 I have Chaired and Lt. General James Clapper (Ret.) has vice- chaired, the congressionally created Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction. Our panel already has delivered two required annual reports to the President and Congress and will complete its deliberations this year. Our final report is due December 15. I would like to offer the assistance of our panel as you work to improve our nation's preparedness for terrorism. Like the President's plan, our panel's report recommended placing the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the forefront of coordinating national efforts in preparing for the consequences of events. After thorough research, however, our commission concluded that there is a need for an office in the White House to coordinate the many federal, state and local agencies involved in this issue and the need for budgetary coordination as well. This is truly a national issue that impacts states, communities, the federal government and the private sector. For two years, the panel has labored with many of the same questions likely to face you and your Working Group as you address this complex national public policy issue. We want to provide as much perspective as rapidly as possible so that the Administration can focus on the larger strategic terrorism issues, including implementing needed changes. We believe our panel has accurately framed the nature of the problem and proposed solutions that can serve as the framework for a comprehensive national strategy. Our recommendations have been formulated in the context of a national approach - one that engages the needs, capabilities and views of local, state and federal officials across a wide range of disciplines. We also believe our panel is the only group that has addressed the issue within the context of the rapid changes that are occurring - in Congress and among federal agencies. Further, a cornerstone of the panel's efforts has been ensuring the protection of civil liberties and the freedoms we enjoy in our nation in the face of a sudden emergency. We stand as a partner with you during the coming months to address this nation's challenge of dealing with the larger issues of preparing for the emerging terrorism threat. Much has been done, but more work remains. Our panel will work through this year to outline a national strategy for the Administration's consideration. We pledge to you the support of our panel so you may benefit from the work we have already done and stand ready to assist you in any way possible as you tackle the larger strategic issues of integrating all aspects of the nation's preparedness for terrorism. Very truly yours, James S. Gilmore, III Governor of Virginia and Chairman ###
