Inspector General Says Clinton Nation Security Hid Classified Docs

[Surfrider]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,237857,00.html

Inspector General Says Former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger Hid Classified Docs
Thursday, December 21, 2006

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WASHINGTON ?? President Clinton's national security adviser removed classified documents from the National Archives, hid them under a construction trailer and later tried to find the trash collector to retrieve them, the agency's internal watchdog said Wednesday.

The report was issued more than a year after Sandy Berger pleaded guilty and received a criminal sentence for removing the documents.

Berger took the documents in the fall of 2003 while working to prepare himself and Clinton administration witnesses for testimony to the Sept. 11 commission. Berger was authorized as the Clinton administration's representative to make sure the commission got the correct classified materials.

Berger's lawyer, Lanny Breuer, said in a statement that the contents of all the documents exist today and were made available to the commission.

But Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., outgoing chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, said he's not convinced that the Archives can account for all the documents taken by Berger. Davis said working papers of National Security Council staff members are not inventoried by the Archives.

Former Clinton Aide Pleads Guilty to Taking Classified Docs Berger Heist In Front of Grand Jury Berger Probe Focuses on Terror Plot Docs House Panel to Investigate Berger Raw Data: Kerry Campaign Letter on Berger Berger: 'I Deeply Regret' an 'Honest Mistake' Fast Facts: Sandy Berger Sandy Berger Probed Over Terror Memos "There is absolutely no way to determine if Berger swiped any of these original documents. Consequently, there is no way to ever know if the 9/11 Commission received all required materials," Davis said.

Berger pleaded guilty to unlawfully removing and retaining classified documents. He was fined $50,000, ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and was barred from access to classified material for three years.

Inspector General Paul Brachfeld reported that National Archives employees spotted Berger bending down and fiddling with something white around his ankles.

The employees did not feel at the time there was enough information to confront someone of Berger's stature, the report said.

Later, when Berger was confronted by Archives officials about the missing documents, he lied by saying he did not take them, the report said.

Brachfeld's report included an investigator's notes, taken during an interview with Berger. The notes dramatically described Berger's removal of documents during an Oct. 2, 2003, visit to the Archives.

Berger took a break to go outside without an escort while it was dark. He had taken four documents in his pockets.

"He headed toward a construction area. ... Mr. Berger looked up and down the street, up into the windows of the Archives and the DOJ (Department of Justice), and did not see anyone," the interview notes said.

He then slid the documents under a construction trailer, according to the inspector general. Berger acknowledged that he later retrieved the documents from the construction area and returned with them to his office.

"He was aware of the risk he was taking," the inspector general's notes said. Berger then returned to the Archives building without fearing the documents would slip out of his pockets or that staff would notice that his pockets were bulging.

The notes said Berger had not been aware that Archives staff had been tracking the documents he was provided because of earlier suspicions from previous visits that he was removing materials. Also, the employees had made copies of some documents.

In October 2003, the report said, an Archives official called Berger to discuss missing documents from his visit two days earlier. The investigator's notes said, "Mr. Berger panicked because he realized he was caught."

The notes said that Berger had "destroyed, cut into small pieces, three of the four documents. These were put in the trash."

After the trash had been picked up, Berger "tried to find the trash collector but had no luck," the notes said.

Significant portions of the inspector general's report were redacted to protect privacy or national security.

[Guns N RockMusic]

Wouldn't suprise me at all if there was information there linked to 9/11 dating back to Clinton.  God knows what important information could have been in there.

[Surfrider]

Wouldn't suprise me at all if there was information there linked to 9/11 dating back to Clinton.? God knows what important information could have been in there.

Considering the timing, I don't think that is a stretch or an unfair speculation at all.

[The Dog]

Thats bullshit if there are indeed documents that nobody has access to anymore.  we'll never know 100% either way though.

There is def scum on both sides of the fence. 

[Bud Fox]

 God knows what important information could have been in there.

Clinton's secret communications with OBL, revealing all the weaknesses of the US airline system and, his hot tips on how to bang college-aged hotties.

[Guns N RockMusic]

 God knows what important information could have been in there.

Clinton's secret communications with OBL, revealing all the weaknesses of the US airline system and, his hot tips on how to bang college-aged hotties.

Funny, but I wasn't implying anything of that nature.  Possibly just warnings that were ignored.

[SLCPUNK]

I think he was joking..........

[Booker Floyd]

Funny, but I wasn't implying anything of that nature.  Possibly just warnings that were ignored.

That would be odd considering Berger himself warned the incoming Bush administration about Al Qaeda (which can be seen here), a warning they seemingly ignored.  However, theres no doubt Bergers actions were remarkably suspicious and should be investigated even further.

[Surfrider]

 God knows what important information could have been in there.

Clinton's secret communications with OBL, revealing all the weaknesses of the US airline system and, his hot tips on how to bang college-aged hotties.

I expect you to joke about it rather than condemn it.  It just shows that you cannot look at things with an independent eye.

[Guns N RockMusic]

I think he was joking..........

I assumed as much.

Clinton's secret communications with OBL, revealing all the weaknesses of the US airline system and, his hot tips on how to bang college-aged hotties.

I expect you to joke about it rather than condemn it. It just shows that you cannot look at things with an independent eye.

Good point

[The Dog]

Funny, but I wasn't implying anything of that nature.? Possibly just warnings that were ignored.

That would be odd considering Berger himself warned the incoming Bush administration about Al Qaeda (which can be seen here), a warning they seemingly ignored.? However, theres no doubt Bergers actions were remarkably suspicious and should be investigated even further.

Jesus, while I knew most of the facts in that story, seeing it all at once like that makes my blood boil.  not to change the topic of the thread, but how many more clues/signs did the Bush admin need!!!!  I was always pissed about the non resposne from the US Cole.  Sorry, i dont' blame clinton for that, his presidency was virtually over at that point - it was the next guys responsability to follow up on it.

[Bud Fox]

I expect you to joke about it rather than condemn it.  It just shows that you cannot look at things with an independent eye.

More regurgitation from the ambulance chaser.

As far as Fox knows Berger is not running nor does he hold any public office, and the last time he did was almost a decade ago. If you far right types have to reach into the pool of private citizens to find a Democrat of low virtue, then we must be doing ok. Just more right wing irrelevency.

Go ahead, throw rocks at the guy and show him your ass, Fox could care less. How fucking childish can you get? What exactly are you trying to say? That there is one bad man, and he is a Democrat? You've got a mass murdering president who is a vicious liar, and we're supposed to jump up and down over this loser? Give me a fucking break - you guys have become pitiful.

[Surfrider]

I expect you to joke about it rather than condemn it.? It just shows that you cannot look at things with an independent eye.

More regurgitation from the ambulance chaser.

As far as Fox knows Berger is not running nor does he hold any public office, and the last time he did was almost a decade ago. If you far right types have to reach into the pool of private citizens to find a Democrat of low virtue, then we must be doing ok. Just more right wing irrelevency.

Go ahead, throw rocks at the guy and show him your ass, Fox could care less. How fucking childish can you get? What exactly are you trying to say? That there is one bad man, and he is a Democrat? You've got a mass murdering president who is a vicious liar, and we're supposed to jump up and down over this loser? Give me a fucking break - you guys have become pitiful.

Point confirmed.

[Bud Fox]

Copout ambulance chaser.

Most of these details were reported when Berger plead out on the charges. Since much of what went on was secret, there is a lot of conjecture and anonymous source stuff, so none of the details were widely reported, as the story was "over" and there was to be no drama due to lack of a trial. But the fact is the judge heard a story supported by evidence that led him to give a light sentence, and this is probably because the biggest thing Berger was guilty of was being a fool, and there was no espionage or blackmail intentions.

[SLCPUNK]

Looks like it was dealt with accordingly. As usual the coverup is worse than the actual crime and the media (did I hear you guys claim it was the left wing media? I forgot...) is jumping on it to try and create some sort of drama.

On the other side of the aisle you have the right wing, who is looking for serious damage control (especially with Haditha this week, which you won't hear a peep from them on) for their astronomical fuck-ups (Hmm....Iraq meltdown anyone?) Their plan of damage control is coming here and saying "Look, they are all bad!" Instead of fessing up that they were used and abused by their own party, too full of pride to admit they were wrong.

The main difference I see in these threads is that the Dems all come forward and say "This is good, it should be dealt with." While the right wing posters always defend their guy no matter how foolish it makes them appear. Just ask Flagg......

[Surfrider]

I posted this story to see the reaction from the extreme left-wingers on this board.  The reaction is exactly what I would have expected.

Looks like it was dealt with accordingly. As usual the coverup is worse than the actual crime and the media (did I hear you guys claim it was the left wing media? I forgot...) is jumping on it to try and create some sort of drama.

You have to be joking.? The story of Berger's theivery took place at the time of the hearings in front of the 911 Commission.? There not a peep about the story at that time.? Only now, when people no longer really care, does the story come forward.? More importantly, I hardly hear many people talking about it.

On the other side of the aisle you have the right wing, who is looking for serious damage control (especially with Haditha this week, which you won't hear a peep from them on) for their astronomical fuck-ups (Hmm....Iraq meltdown anyone?)

You try to justify or cover-up one wrong by pointing to another.? You really have to stop with that fallacy.? Furthermore, Haditha is an american troop story that is being prosecuted vigorously by the administration.? The above story is a story of a prominent democrat official.? I would say they are a little different.

Their plan of damage control is coming here and saying "Look, they are all bad!" Instead of fessing up that they were used and abused by their own party, too full of pride to admit they were wrong.

Again, hilarious.? It is you guys that come on here and say there are bad people in both parties.? Why can't you just come on here and condemn Berger without mentioning any Republicans?? You can't and that is why everything you say must come with a grain of salt.? On the contrary, I do it all of the time.? I can point you to a bunch of threads where I have bashed a Republican or a Conservaitve for doing something stupid.?

The main difference I see in these threads is that the Dems all come forward and say "This is good, it should be dealt with." While the right wing posters always defend their guy no matter how foolish it makes them appear. Just ask Flagg......

I don't think you have read this thread.? Bud Fox is trying to make it seem like this is a non-event, and you are bashing the Republicans and pointing your finger at Republicans instead of condemning this individual.? Do you even read what you write?

[Surfrider]

Copout ambulance chaser.

Most of these details were reported when Berger plead out on the charges. Since much of what went on was secret, there is a lot of conjecture and anonymous source stuff, so none of the details were widely reported, as the story was "over" and there was to be no drama due to lack of a trial. But the fact is the judge heard a story supported by evidence that led him to give a light sentence, and this is probably because the biggest thing Berger was guilty of was being a fool, and there was no espionage or blackmail intentions.

Ambulance chaser?? Good one.? I don't know why they let you post on this board.? I have seen people banned for far less than you do on this board on a daily basis.? For the most part you are ignored and ridiculed by anyone that has anything meaningful to say on this board.? Thus, don't get your panties in a bunch when we don't waste our time responding to your posts.?

[SLCPUNK]

Ambulance chaser?  Good one.  I don't know why they let you post on this board.  I have seen people banned for far less than you do on this board on a daily basis.  For the most part you are ignored and ridiculed by anyone that has anything meaningful to say on this board.  Thus, don't get your panties in a bunch when we don't waste our time responding to your posts. 

You still did not address his points though.......Seems as if you use his "insults" as a way out of responding.

[Surfrider]

Ambulance chaser?? Good one.? I don't know why they let you post on this board.? I have seen people banned for far less than you do on this board on a daily basis.? For the most part you are ignored and ridiculed by anyone that has anything meaningful to say on this board.? Thus, don't get your panties in a bunch when we don't waste our time responding to your posts.?

You still did not address his points though.......Seems as if you use his "insults" as a way out of responding.

There are certain people on this board that I don't waste my time with in terms of discussing substantive political issues.  He is one of them. 

How funny is it that you state that I am not responding to his post when you clearly ignored the post above it where I addressed your rhetoric directly.

[Bud Fox]

For the most part you are ignored and ridiculed by anyone...

What? All two of you?