Rice asserts she can't testify 'in principle' at 9/11 commission

US NATIONAL Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice is waging a vigorous defence of her actions in every public forum except one: the September 11 Commission where she would be questioned about the government's failure to prevent the terrorist attacks.

Ms Rice declared on Sunday night that "nothing would be better, from my point of view, than to be able to testify" to the commission. But, she added, "there is an important principle involved here: It is a long-standing principle that sitting National

Security Advisers do not testify before the Congress." She has appeared before panel members in closed session.