Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), the nation's oldest independent liberal political organization, along with numerous coalition partners expressed concern this week with regards to the President's decision to establish a commission to investigate prewar intelligence on Iraq.

The Education For Peace in Iraq Center, the Council for a Livable World, NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, and others joined ADA in sending letters to President George W. Bush, Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Senate Minority Leader Thomas Daschle.

The letter states: "the type of inquiry outlined by the White House may fail to address many critical issues in an open, independent, and timely fashion. Such a failure could further undermine the U.S. government's credibility at home and abroad, impacting our nation's ability to work effectively with the international community and address current and future threats to our national security."

The group councils that the investigation must examine both the Administration's prewar intelligence assessments on Iraq and the representation of those assessments by senior Administration officials.

The scope of the investigation should include the substance, interpretation, and presentation of the intelligence by administration officials. Any investigation should be conducted by truly independent and qualified experts and be appointed by Congress and White House, and requiring the consent of the minority leadership. Bi-partisan balance and diversity should be considerations.

The commission must operate as openly and transparently as possible. Trust and credibility with the U.S. public is essential. Additionally, the commission must begin this inquiry quickly and present clear findings without delay.

To restore public trust, rebuild U.S. credibility abroad, and ensure government accountability on decisions of war and peace, the investigation into the quality of U.S. intelligence and the use of that intelligence in making the case for war must be truly independent and as prompt, thorough and open as possible.