I am an international corporate lawyer, writing to you today about a matter of public policy that is relevant to the circumstances surrounding, and our preparedness for, the catastrophic attacks on September 11, 2001. I do not know whether the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (the "Commission") or the Senate and House Committees on Intelligence (the "Committees") have had the opportunity to consider these issues carefully. If so, I hope this memorandum will be helpful. If not, I respectfully urge them, in accordance with the mandate of the Commission's charter and in the exercise of the Committees' responsibilities, to investigate the facts and resolve the questions presented.

I regret that this memorandum comes to the Commission after the publication of its Final Report this past July (the "Commission's Final Report"). As will become evident, however, it has taken some time to assemble the facts from the raw data and other information set forth in available governmental and other reports and relevant documents in the public record. Moreover, and in any event, the need to examine and resolve the compelling issues presented here outweighs the mere appearance of completeness by putting a permanent end to the Commission's work.

It is far more important, to all of us, that the Commission's work be accurate and complete or, at the very least, that the Commission urge that these questions be explored and resolved by another panel as independent, distinguished and objective as itself. Both the Senate and House Committees should endeavor to explore and resolve these issues as well.