Question: The so called "Wall between the Agencies"

[bvar22]

The Cons are claiming (over and over) that the 9-11 terrorists were not caught because Clinton (or the Clinton Justice Dept) erected a "WALL between the Agencies" that prevented them from sharing intelligence.

I am under the impression that Clinton held a weekly cabinet level meeting with the heads of the Intelligence Agencies. The purpose of this meeting was to share intelligence and co-ordinate the War on Terror. Is this correct?

*Wouldn't this meeting would have transcended any "Wall" between the agencies?

*George Bush and the Republicans discontinue this meeting. Did discontinuing this weekly meeting prevent the agencies from sharing information?

Just getting the facts straight.
Thanks

[pinto]

1. Though there may be a historical "wall" , Bush fosters mistrust and

competition within his Administration, I believe. Like a Byzantine palace, he seems to favor one Dept. being in the dark about another Dept., and all being in the dark about his trusted small circle of individuals.

[AnnieBW]

2. Wall Was There Long Before Clinton

The "wall" between intelligence agencies was there long before Clinton. NSA doesn't talk to CIA, who doesn't talk to DIA, who doesn't talk to FBI, who doesn't talk to State, etc. There's a lot of mistrust, turf battles, and general pissing contests between all of the major players in the Intel Community. It's been like that for as long as there's been a formal Intel Community. They all talk about "information sharing", but it's all just lip service.