The Foreign Service Journal, September 2004

able systems each year. At the same time, the pressure to speed processing of visas — from business and education groups as well as Congress — was relentless, eventually leading to Ryan’s resignation. Just months before 9/11, in an effort to speed processing in Saudi Arabia, CA set up a program through which Saudis could submit visa application paperwork to travel agents, who would then forward the information for adjudication by con- sular affairs. Many of the applicants were not required to show up at a consular post for an interview. Similar programs already existed worldwide, but in Saudi Arabia the program was given the unfortunate name of “Visa Express.” In 2002, under congressional pres- sure, Ryan stepped down after the program generated controversy. In testimony before the 9/11 Commission early this year, Ryan said she does not believe the express program harmed national security. But she also recalled the circumstances at the time of the program’s creation: “It was an extremely difficult peri- od. We were devastated by the budget cuts. We were devastated by the lack of junior officer intake.” And at the same time, federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies were reluctant to share their lookout data. Ryan said she was outraged to learn, after the attacks, that the FBI and CIA had informa- tion on two of the 9/11 hijackers — Khalid al-Midhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi — and had never shared that information with CA. The reason they hadn’t: State is not a law enforcement agency. “I was outraged. I was furious. I’m still angry about it,” she says. Even after 9/11, it took an act of Congress to require the FBI to share data with CA. F O C U S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 27 * per night, single or double occupancy subject to availability Y our search is over, choose a hotel where the federal per diem rate is available year-round. * Luxurious Suites All rooms with full size kitchen & stove tops Fitness center Complimentary in-room coffee Full service restaurant Parking available Across fromMain State White House, The Mall, and Metro Foggy Bottom station (blue & orange lines) within walking distance Accommodations State Plaza Hotel 2117 E. St. NW Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: (800) 424-2859 (202) 861-8200 Parking Available Rated 1 / 2 by AAA www.stateplaza.com E-mail: reservations@stateplaza.com Even after 9/11, it took an act of Congress to require the FBI to share data with CA.