Whitehouse in 9/11 testimony U-turn

THE White House backed down yesterday and agreed to let National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice testify in public under oath before the commission investigating the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The policy reversal was made on condition that the panel seeks no further public testimony from White House officials, the administration said.

In addition, President George W Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney have agreed to a single joint private session with all 10 commissioners, with one commission staff member present to take notes of the session, said White House counsel Alberto Gonzales.