Very curious development on the homefront…

The [url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/19/national/main630625.shtml]AP reports [/url]that former Clinton Advisor, Sandy Berger, is the target of a criminal investigation by the FBI. Berger has admitted to removing highly classified documents from a secure reading room prior to his appearance before the 9/11 Commission.

Berger’s home and office were searched earlier this year by FBI agents armed with warrants after he voluntarily returned documents to the National Archives. However, some drafts of a sensitive after-action report on the Clinton administration’s handling of al Qaeda terror threats during the December 1999 millennium celebration are still missing.

Berger and his lawyer said Monday night he knowingly removed handwritten notes he had made while reading classified anti-terror documents he reviewed at the archives by sticking them in his jacket and pants. He also inadvertently took copies of actual classified documents in a leather portfolio, they said.

“Inadvertently took copies of actual classified documents in a leather portfolio?” I find it hard to believe that putting documents in your leather portfolio would be an inadvertant act. In fact, as the article goes on to say, some of these “copies,” which may actually have been originals, are now missing.

The FBI searches of Berger’s home and office occurred after National Archives employees told agents they believed they witnessed Berger place documents in his clothing while reviewing sensitive Clinton administration papers, officials said.

When asked, Berger said he returned some classified documents that he found in his office and all of the handwritten notes he had taken from the secure room, but said he could not locate two or three copies of the highly classified millennium terror report. [emphasis mine]

I would call all of this highly suspicious. Even more damaging is the fact that Sandy Berger is currently one of John F Kerry’s campaign advisors. So, not only does Senator Kerry have the whole [url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/337paflu.asp]Joe Wilson debacle[/url] clouding his candidacy (Senator Kerry is also advised by Joe Wilson and has underwritten Mr. Wilson’s website), he has another of his advisors, Sandy Berger, actively being investigated by the FBI for what may amount to a federal crime, theft of classified documents.

Could this have anything to do with [url=http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/4/16/20657.shtml]Clinton’s admitted failure [/url]to take advantage of the Sudanese offer in 1996 to turn Osama bin Laden over to the United States? Perhaps it’s as innocent as former President Clinton seeking copies in order to prepare for his testimony before the Commission. Whatever the case, Mr. Berger has admitted to the commission of what seems to me to be a federal crime.

Lets call this one a developing story.

David Flanagan
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