Nation briefs 2/18/04

Rumsfeld, Tenet to testify publicly in 9-11 probe

WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and CIA Director George Tenet will testify publicly next month in a federal commission probe into who should be held accountable for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The two-day hearing in late March, to focus on U.S. counterterrorism policy, will be unprecedented in its review of high-level officials in the administrations of both Presidents Clinton and Bush, Philip Zelikow, executive director of the Sept. 11,2001, commission, said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press. Also scheduled to testify are Secretary of State Colin Powell; his predecessor Madeleine Albright; and Clinton's defense secretary, William Cohen.

Oklahoma City bombing conspirator offers plea deal

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Bombing conspirator Terry Nichols offered Tuesday to plead no contest to state murder charges if prosecutors drop their attempt to seek the death penalty, according to a motion filed in the case. State prosecutors indicated in a statement they have no plans to accept Nichols' offer, similar to at least one other offer the defense has made. Nichols, charged with 161 counts of first-degree murder, filed the motion in McAlester, where he's scheduled to go on trial March 1 for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing.