New book by Watergate journalist Bob Woodward claims CIA warned Rice before 9/11

October 1, 2006

A new book by Bob Woodward claims that then-CIA director George Tenet gave an urgent warning to Condoleezza Rice two months prior to the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

In a report in Sunday's Washington Post, the veteran of the Watergate scandal details some of the points as he understood them.

Tenet and CIA counterterrorism chief J. Cofer Black had, according to Woodward, held a meeting with the national security advisor. Whilst there was no clearly identifiable threat Woodward claims Tenet and Black both suspected "something was coming" and tried to get this point across.

Woodward cites earlier interference from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, questioning NSA intercepts and downplaying al-Qaeda's threats. Painting a picture of an administration focusing on other things, Woodward claims Tenet left with the impression that the unscheduled meeting with Rice had not swayed her from focus on other issues.

Woodward's book, State of Denial, went on sale on September 29 and has already drawn criticism from the White House. In an interview on ABC's This week, the President's councillor accused Woodward of bias.