Kissinger is still out, about and apparently minting so much money that he didn't want to head the 911 Commission because he would have had serious conflicts of interest.
whitehouse.gov
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all, for coming. Please be seated. Today, I sign an act of Congress authorizing intelligence programs vital to our security, and creating a national commission to investigate the events of September the 11th, 2001, and the years that led up to that event. This commission will help me and future Presidents to understand the methods of America's enemies and the nature of the threats we face.
Today, I'm pleased to announce my choice for commission chairman, Dr. Henry Kissinger. Dr. Kissinger is one of our nation's most accomplished and respected public servants. He worked here at the White House as National Security Advisor, represented America abroad as the Secretary of State for two Presidents. He is a distinguished author, academic, Army veteran, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. He's also spent much of his life in New York, feels deeply the loss that came to that city and to our country. Dr. Kissinger will bring broad experience, clear thinking, and careful judgment to this important task...."
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archives.cnn.com
"...In a letter to the president, Kissinger said he was prepared to submit all relevant financial information to the White House and to an independent review and to other members of the joint commission.
He said that while he thought specific potential conflicts could be resolved, he felt the controversy would move to his own consulting firm, Kissinger Associates.
Liquidation of the firm would delay significantly the beginning of the commission's work, so he decided to resign, he said.
The concern was that questions of conflict of interest might have been raised because the former secretary of state serves on the boards of several organizations and is chairman of some.
He had agreed to provide the families of September 11 victims with lists of his clients but would not give other details about them.
A senior administration official said Kissinger told White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card that if he revealed his client list, he might be forced to sever ties with those clients...."
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