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Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 23:33:34 -0400
From: Philip Zelikow <pzelikow@9-1 1commission.gov>4P
To: "" <jennifer_g._newstead@who.eop.gov>4P
Cc: "" <dmarcus@9-11commission.gov>4P, "" <sdunne@9-11commission.gov>4P
Reply-to: "" <pzelikow@9-11commission.gov>4F
Subject: 'Domestic' Decisions in the Post 9/1 1 Immediate Response

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Jennifer -

You have a difficult task in trying to identify principals and deputies-level decisions on domestic
policy responses to the 9/11 attacks. Part of the problem is the ad hoc, urgent way in which senior
officials tried to work these issues and make decisions in those hectic days. To help sort through the
material, below is a rough and probably incomplete list of some such decisions that already seem
apparent.

The domestic policy components of the immediate response to 9/11 are not well understood, though
they seem highly significant. The following crisis decisions were apparently made between 9/11 and
9/20.

1. Possible military engagement of commercial airliners

2. Grounding of all civilian aircraft flying over the United States

3. Activation of contingency plans for emergency operations by the nation" s leaders

4. Setting conditions for return of civil aviation

5. Choosing enhanced border and port security measures

6. Description of the attack as an act of war (financial and domestic implications, aside from foreign
policy)

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7. Assistance to reopen U.S. financial markets

8. The commitment of $20 billion to assist New York City

9. When the President should go to New York City and what he should do there

10. Choosing key contents of three major addresses to the nation (Sept 11; the National Cathedral
speech; and the address to Congress).

11. Creation of a White House Office of Homeland Security and the decision that Tom Ridge should lead it

12. Legislation to bail out the nation's airlines and cap their liability

13. Legislation to establish a federal compensation fund for victims of the attacks, restricting legal
rights of those who received money from it, and setting the powers of the Special Master

14. Preventive investigation and detentions of Muslim males across the country, with associated
special procedures

15. Development of the administration's proposal for a USA PATRIOT Act

Hope this helps ... and I'm sure I've left out a few.

Philip Zelikow

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