In secret, not under oath, with Cheney at his side, and not recorded.
They won't even ask his about his long relationship with the bin Laden family.


US PRESIDENT George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney answered questions today from September 11 commissioners trying to learn how followers of Osama bin Laden pulled off the worst terrorist attack in American history.

Speaking with reporters in the White House Rose Garden, Bush declined to say what questions the commission members specifically asked. But he did say the session was cordial. "I'm glad I did it. I'm glad I took the time ... I enjoyed it," he said. "I answered every question."

The 10 commissioners gathered around Bush and Cheney, who were seated on chairs near the fireplace in the Oval Office for the unprecedented closed-door meeting that was off-limits to all but White House counsel Alberto Gonzales and two members of his staff.

Asked why Bush felt it necessary to appear jointly with Cheney, the president vigorously defended that arrangement.

"If we had something to hide, we wouldn't have met with them in the first place," Bush said.