Latest panel forgoes subpoena

WASHINGTON — The presidential commission investigating the intelligence agencies’ mistaken pre-war assessments of weapons of mass destruction will not seek subpoena power, a spokesman says.

Meanwhile, the Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee says he and other members are concerned that agency leaders have failed to hold anyone accountable for three years of blunders.

The inquiry commission’s chairmen — former Sen. Chuck Robb, D-Va., and Republican Laurence Silberman, a retired federal appeals court judge — have decided they do not need subpoena power to require people to testify or provide information, said spokesman Larry McQuillan.

"At this point, they are satisfied that they can get all the cooperation they need," McQuillan said. "Both men have been assured personally by President Bush that every federal department and agency will cooperate."

McQuillan declined to comment on whether the decision could later be reversed. "I don’t want to go into hypotheticals," he said.

Bush formed the commission in February — formally named the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction — in response to mounting criticism involving the flawed prewar intelligence on Iraq’s weapons programs, whose existence was a leading argument for war.

As part of its mandate, the commission will also look at how well the intelligence agencies are able to evaluate the threat of weapons of mass destruction from foreign governments, terrorist groups or private networks distributing the weapons or materials. The commission is expected to report to Bush by March 31 of next year.

Bush has been criticized by some lawmakers and Sept. 11, 2001, victims’ families over his insistence on limiting the subpoena power of another commission investigating the al-Qaida attack.

Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., said he would defer to Silberman and Robb’s judgment, though as co-chairman of a congressional inquiry into the Sept. 11 attacks, he found subpoena power valuable: "Not because you used it frequently," he said, but because "people understood if they didn’t come voluntarily, they could be forced to come."

"We got a lot of cooperation, too, at the beginning," he added.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of nine weapons commission members, has said he thinks the panel should have subpoena power. "It gives a certain credibility to a commission," he said in an ABC interview.

At least one senior lawmaker considered friendly to the CIA — and the more than a dozen other agencies that comprise the intelligence community — has been publicly critical.

In a speech at Kansas State University on Monday, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said members of Congress were troubled because no one in the agencies has been held accountable for intelligence failures over the past three years, starting with the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"Almost two years since the publication of the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate that declared Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was reconstituting his nuclear program, no one has been disciplined or fired," he said. "Are we asking too much?"

Roberts also referred to CIA Director George Tenet’s reported assurances to Bush that the existence of Hussein’s weapons programs was a "slam-dunk case."

"Rarely is any intelligence case a ‘slam dunk,’ " Roberts said.

A CIA spokesman declined to comment on Roberts’ remarks and said the agency is going to cooperate fully with the commission.

Copyright ©2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.