[National Security Presidential Directives - NSPDs]
NSPD-9: Defeating the Terrorist Threat to the United States
October 25, 2001
[Text Posted Here]
On April 1, 2004, the White House released the following characterization of this document:
The NSPD called on the Secretary of Defense to plan for military options "against Taliban targets in Afghanistan, including leadership, command-control, air and air defense, ground forces, and logistics." The NSPD also called for plans "against al Qaeda and associated terrorist facilities in Afghanistan, including leadership, command-control-communications, training, and logistics facilities."
In testimony before the 9-11 Commission on March 23, 2004, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld presented this description of the strategy contained in NSPD-9:"The objectives of the new strategy were:
The essence of this strategy was contained in NSPD-9. It was the first major substantive national security decision directive issued by this Administration. It was presented for decision by principals on September 4, 2001 -- 7 days before September 11th. The directive was signed by the President, with minor changes, and a preamble to reflect the events of 9/11, on October 25, 2001."
- To eliminate the al-Qaeda network;
- To use all elements of national power to do so -- diplomatic, military, economic, intelligence, information and law enforcement;
- To eliminate sanctuaries for al-Qaeda and related terrorist networks -- and if diplomatic efforts to do so failed, to consider additional measures.