Waco Hearings- DAY 2
Waco Hearings- DAY 2
WACO HEARINGS: 4:30-5:00PM - Master Number 10922 - INTRODUCTION: The following footage from the Waco Hearings consists of the questioning of the fifth group of panelists. The majority of questions focus on the military's role at Waco, but comments made by Representative Lantos in Master Number 10921 and Lofgren in the following footage, motivates Ambassador H. Allan Holmes to discusses the growing threat presented by separatist movements. Representative Chabot, Watt, Lofgren and Mica present questions or comments to the panelists, and the panelists are Ambassador H. Allan Holmes, Major General MG John M Pickler, Brigadier General Michael Huffman, Mr. Chris Crain, Lieutenant Corneal Lindley, Major Marc Petrie, Staff Sargent Steve Fits, Staff Sargent Robert Moreland and Sargent First Class Chris Dunn. 16:15:31 Old footage shows Congressman Chabot presenting a document that details an ATF plan to use a helicopter assault at Mount Carmel compound - it was later ruled out. 16:31:00 Fresh footage begins by showing Congressman Chabot asking the panelists if any of them are aware of any ATF plan that involved the use of helicopters in an air assault at Waco. Major General Pickler states that he is not. Major Marc Petrie states that he helped plan the use of the helicopters, but states that ATF Agents stated, "We are going to use this as a distraction." Reading from another document, Congressman Chabot asks what the terms simultaneous gunfire, Hood and worked in Seattle mean, in relationship to, the use of the helicopters. Lieutenant Corneal Lindley states he is not aware of the second term. Major Petrie states the helicopter training ATF Agents received occurred at Fort Hood. Rep. Chabot then asks if the ATF thought their raid would result in civilian casualties. Major Petrie states he didn't believe so, but that medical preparations were being made just in case. 16:35:04 Congressman Watt begins his time by asking Ambassador H. Allan Holmes, Brigadier General Michael Huffman and Lieutenant Corneal Lindley if any of them believe that the military stepped across a line that shouldn't have been crossed. They all state a flat no. He then asks if the guidelines for the raid worked. Again, all three agree that the guidelines worked. Rep. Watt then asks the three men if any additional legislation is needed to strengthen or to clarify the Posse Comitatus Act. Neither of the three have any suggestions for alteration to the guidelines. Congressman Watt then introduces a collection of Justice Department documents that detail reports made by the ATF Agents in the helicopters that state no weapons were ever fired. 16:39:56 Congressman Chabot begins his time by introducing a document that concludes casualties would be likely at Waco, and then asks Major Petrie about it He states he is not aware of the document. Lieutenant Corneal Lindley interjects, and states he authored the report, but that it was wrote following Waco, and that it was intended as a training exercise for JTF6 Agents during a teleconference he was instructing. He goes on to state that details were elaborated on to help engage his students in situational interpretation. Rep. Chabot then asks Major Petrie about a pre-raid meeting where the issue of casualties was discussed. He replies the meeting was called to prepare agents for such a possibility, but not because there was firm doubt casualties would occur. Major Petrie is then asked whom, or what group, was suspected to become a casualty. He replies the discussion focused of types of wounds and the different age groups of the individuals involved. Rep. Chabot then asks who raised this as an issue. He states that it was a combination of the ATF and the military. Turing to Staff Sargent Steve Fits, Congressman Chabot asks him if he taught medical procedures to the ATF Agents. He replies he discussed medical procedures with ATF Agents, but no hands on training was involved. He is then asked what types of casualties were being anticipated. He replies gun shoot wounds were. Rep. Chabot then asks if he had contacted a local ambulance company regarding the possible use of their services. Sargent Fits states he made such a call. Pushing the issue Congressman Chabot then asks if this was because it was presumed Waco would result in heavy casualties. Staff Sargent Fits responds that it is common practice to prepare for a worse case scenario. 16:45:35 Congresswoman Lofgren begins her time by stating her concern over the increasing threats made by militant sects like the Branch Davidians. She then asks the panelists if any of them were asked to present alternative raid plans to the ATF. Brigadier General Huffman states that he is not aware of any such requests, but goes on to state that the ATF was the expert at Waco and the military simply followed their lead. Congresswoman Lofgren then asks Ambassador Holmes if the military should be allowed to render its' expertise in the psychology of religious cults to non-military agencies like the ATF. He states it is the role of the military is to win the nation's battles, and then assist civilian agencies where it can, but concludes the military is not looking to assume any more responsibilities. 16:50:07 Congressman Mica begins his time by asking Ambassador Holmes if the military can only intervene in civilian affairs if a drug connection is made. He states there are many reasons why the military could be called in, but in terms of Waco, it was because of drugs. Rep. Mica then asks if any of the panelists feel "doupted" by the local authorities over the whole drug issue. Ambassador Holmes brushes the question off. Congressman Mica then asks who at Operation Alliance makes the final decisions on requests. Major General Pickler states there is a whole review process, and that many people need to give their approval to plans. Rep. Mica then states that possibly this system of signing off needs reform. 16:54:50 Congressman McCollum recesses the Chamber due to four pending votes. 16:55:58 The Sub-Committee Chamber is shown in recess. 17:00:01 TAPE OUT.