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Berger’s ‘honest mistake’

Former Clinton national security adviser Sandy Berger says that the problem with pilfering classified national security documents is just an honest mistake.

"Last year, when I was in the Archives reviewing documents, I made an honest mistake. It's one that I deeply regret," Berger said. "I dealt with this issue in October 2003 fully and completely. Everything that I have done all along in this process has been for the purpose of aiding and supporting the work of the 9/11 commission, and any suggestion to the contrary is simply, absolutely wrong."

Reports are that this is a serious matter.

"The length of the investigation indicates that they are trying to dot their i's and cross their t's," former federal prosecutor Joseph diGenova said. "I'm not surprised that they're taking this case seriously, especially given the bizarre circumstances."

The circumstances he was referring to are reports that Berger had stuffed classified documents and/or his handwritten notes into his jacket, his pants and even his socks. And according to Berger’s own lawyer, this was done five times.

Kerry offered the following public comment concerning his advisor who has been accused of sharing information from the classified documents with Kerry.

"Sandy Berger is my friend, and he has tirelessly served this nation with honor and distinction. I respect his decision to step aside as an adviser to this campaign until this matter is resolved objectively and fairly," said John Kerry.

Berger said that every Clinton administration document requested by the Sept. 11 commission was provided to the panel. Berger also said he returned some classified documents and all his handwritten notes when he was asked about them, except for two or three copies of the millennium report that may have been thrown away.

The millennium report was written by former National Security Council aide Richard Clarke, it outlines the 1999 plot to attack U.S. millennium celebrations and offered more than two dozen recommendations for improving the response to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network. The recommendations were not implemented.

Reaction from Republicans was harsh on both Berger and Kerry.

"Right after the documents were taken, John Kerry held a photo op and attacked the president on port security. The documents that were taken may have been utilized for that press conference. They were then destroyed, according to Mr. Berger," said Sen. Gordon H. Smith, Oregon Republican.

"I just simply think it's important for the American people to know how disappointing this conduct is as they try to take down the president of the United States," Smith said.

"Did these documents detail simple negligence, or did they contain something more sinister?" Said House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert. "Was this a bungled attempt to rewrite history and keep critical information from the 9/11 commission and potentially put their report under a cloud?" asked Hastert.