9/11 CitizensWatch

An Open Letter to Eliot Spitzer from 9/11 CitizensWatch regarding the NY Attorney General’s Complicity in Cover-up of key Intelligence regarding the attacks of September 11th 2001.

February 17, 2006

Dear Mr. Spitzer,

I learned during a Congressional hearing before two sub-committees of the Armed Service Committee this past Wednesday (hear audio at http://www.abledangerblog.com) that you had acted in such a way as to allow the #2 at the your office, your Deputy Dietrich Snell, a former 9/11 Commission counsel, to avoid having to answer questions as to his role in the 9/11 Commission’s failure and/or refusal to disclose details about the Able Danger counter-terrorist program either to the 9/11 Commissioners or in the 9/11 Report itself.

According to Stephen Cambone, Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, who gave testimony before the Armed Services sub-committeess, there were five witnesses who said the program had identified Mohamed Atta by name and/or photo over a year before the attacks. According to Rep. Weldon an Able Danger chart created over a year before 9/11 showing a photo of Atta was presented by Representatives Weldon, Burton and Shays to Stephen Hadley, then Deputy to National Security Advisor Condi Rice, on September 25, 2001. On July 12, 2004 Dieter Snell met one of the Able Danger team members and witnesses, the actual hands-on head of the operation, Capt. Scott Phillpott, who told him that Able Danger had identified and planned offensive operations against four of the eventual 19 hijackers as part of what they called the “Brooklyn Cell.” According to Lt. Col Shaffer Dietrich Snell said, “What do you want me to do with this information, we go to print in 10 days?”

I have called your office for a statement on this issue and Mari Arce of the Communications Dept. is not aware of any statement being been issued. I have two simple questions I believe all Americans and all the victim family members deserve straight-forward answers to:

What business of yours is it to stand in the way of a Congressional effort led by the Armed Services Committee to learn the truth about why it was a military operation targeting Al-Qaeda and ID future hijackers (Able Danger) was killed by as yet identified DoD officials?

What right do you have to prevent Congressional oversight and an attempt to learn why it was the 9/11 Commission staff, including your employee Dietrich Snell, failed to brief the 9/11 Commissioners about a program a Navy Commander told Snell had ID Atta over a year before 9/11?

In 2004 and 2005, following a formal complaint filing with your office and your chief investigator William Casey, you effectively ignored leading 9/11 family members, 9/11 survivors and first responders who had signed on to the complaint requesting you investigate any number of areas where the Commission fell short. (see full complaint and appendices at http://www.justicefor911.org) And you promised me, their spokesperson at the time, in person at the your opening fund-raiser luncheon that you would meet with the complainants which included Bill Doyle. You broke your promise despite persistent follow-ups.

I believe you have a lot of explaining to do. I intend to talk extensively with Bill Doyle and other leading family members about your latest attempt to stand in the way of getting at the truth about what happened on 9/11.

I believe they are owed an explanation as to why you took no action or even a courtesy of a response following the filing of our complaint with your office (see http://www.justicefor911.org) . I believe all Americans are now owed an explanation as to why you would stand in the way of Congress who had some simple questions for your Deputy, Dietrich Snell. Given your previous responses and what appears to be your covering for Dieter Snell would I be foolish to expect the courtesy of a response?

You know Mr. Spitzer I’d admired you and the strong stand you’ve taken against the abuses and corruption of big business and I took you at your word when you told me you’d meet with the “Justice for 9/11″ complainants. However, I’m afraid you are near to losing that respect with this latest obstruction on your part that appears to have let Mr. Snell off the hook.

What kind of coward, what kind of an American won’t answer to Congress on such a question as the 9/11 attacks that led to the death of nearly 3000 people and hundreds of police and firemen from NYC; and to answer questions as to what the government knew before the attacks and why it was the Commission covered up the existence of Able Danger and how it was killed and buried by DoD officials? I truly hope you give me reason to reconsider my judgment about you and Mr. Snell. I hope you prove my doubts wrongly placed and you, and Mr. Snell, are willing to stand up for your record on the investigative questions regarding the crimes of 9/11 for which neither truth or justice have been served and for which it appears you both have covered up by your inaction and/or obstruction.

Most sincerely,

Kyle F. Hence

9/11 CitizensWatch

cc. Dietrich Snell, Justice for 9/11 complainants, Office of Rep. McKinney via John Judge and Office of Rep. Curt Weldon.