President Bush today approved creation of a commission to investigate the government's failure to prevent the September 11th attacks and appointed former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as chairman to "follow all the facts wherever they lead."
Democrats said Mr Bush and other top officials in current andpast administrations could be asked to testify about eventsleading up to the attacks that killed more than 3,000 people.
Mr Kissinger promised a full investigation, including anexamination of any ties between US ally Saudi Arabia andOsama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, which the United Statesaccuses of masterminding the attacks.
"We are not restricted by any foreign policyconsiderations," Mr Kissinger said. "We are under no restrictionsand we would accept no restrictions."
The Bush administration initially opposed the commission,arguing that a congressional investigation was better equippedto preserve national security secrets. But families of theattack victims led a public campaign and pressured Mr Bush to backdown.
"This commission will help me and future presidents tounderstand the methods of America's enemies and the nature ofthe threat we face," Mr Bush said at the bill-signing ceremonybefore flying to his Crawford, Texas, ranch for a Thanksgivingholiday weekend.
"This investigation should carefully examine all theevidence and follow all the facts wherever they lead. We mustuncover every detail and learn every lesson of September 11th," Mr Bushsaid.
The commission, included in a spending bill forintelligence agencies, will look for failures in intelligence,aviation security, immigration and other areas. Subpoenas couldbe issued by agreement of the chair and vice chair or a vote ofsix of the 10 commission members.