Waco Hearings - DAY 8
Waco Hearings - DAY 8
WACO HEARINGS: 10:30 - 11:32AM - Master Number 10984 - INTRODUCTION: The following footage of the Waco Hearings consists of the questioning of the sixteenth group of panelists. They are: Judge William Sessions; former Director of the FBI, Floyd Clark; former Deputy Director of the FBI, Webster Hubbell; Associate Attorney General, Marc Richard; Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the FBI's Criminal Division, Larry Potts; Former Assistant Director of the FBI's Criminal Investigation Division and Doctor Harry Salem; Chief Scientists for Life Sciences at the US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command. (Judge Sessions leaves after the recess.) Questions, and or statements are presented to the panelists from Representatives: Lantos, Mica, Jackson-Lee, Blute and Lofgren. 10:30:02 Old footage from Master Number 10984 shows Judge Sessions answering a question from Congressman Lantos concerning Jones Town. 10:32:04 Fresh footage shows Mr. Hubbell responding to Congressman Lantos question concerning a parallel between Waco and Jones Town. He replies that Koresh had a terrific hold on his followers, and adds that parallels do exist. 10:33:06 Congressman Mica begins his time by asking Mr. Hubbell if he attended a meeting on April 14th or 15th where it was discussed that the FBI should shift away its' reliance upon negotiations. He replies that he actually called the meeting, and adds that the gas insertion plan was discussed. Rep. Mica then asks if the military's role in the raid was also discussed. Mr. Hubbell replies there was talk of having the military review the gas plan. Turning then to Doctor Salem, Rep. Mica asks who asked you to brief the Attorney General. He replies two colleagues from work had. Congressman Mica then asks him if a second opinion was sought by the Attorney General. Doctor Salem replies no. Turning then to Mr. Potts, Congressman Mica asks whose responsibility was it to have informed Agent Jamar that the Davidians were spreading fuel. He replies the agents who where monitoring the surveillance taps did not hear those conversation, therefore, no one could have possibly been told. Turning then to Mr. Richards, Rep. Mica asks if a federal moratorium should be placed on the use of CS-Gas on children. He replies no, and adds that its' use should be determined on a case by case assessment. 10:39:11 Congresswoman Jackson-Lee begins her time by asking Judge Sessions if Koresh's Second Amendment rights were infringed upon by the ATF. He replies Koresh was sought by the ATF due to suspected violations of American gun laws. Judge Sessions is then asked if the rules governing search and seizure were brooded, would the Exclusionary Rule be weakened. He replies by repeating previous testimony. Keeping with Judge Sessions, Congresswoman Jackson-Lee asks him to respond to the claim Waco happened because the FBI was in disarray. He replies that the leadership of the FBI was in a state of flux when Waco occurred, but asserts that its' ability to carry out missions was never compromised. 10:45:46 Congressman Blute begins his time by asking Judge Sessions about Mr. Smerick's claim he changed the tone of his reports to be pleasing to him. He replies that he has no idea why Mr. Smerick made such assertions. Continuing on Judge Session asserts that he always pushed for negotiations. 10:47:52 Chairman McCollum recess the Sub-Committee Chamber for a series of votes. 10:48:10 The Sub-Committee Chamber is shown in recess. 11:24:35 Chairman McCollum brings the Sub-Committee Chamber back to order. 11:25:07 Congressman Blute begins his time by asking Mr. Clarke about the pressure Mr. Smerick testified he was under. He replies Mr. Smerick testified that such pressure was self-imposed. Mr. Potts replies to the same question by describing how the FBI evaluated Mr. Smerick's reports. Turning then to Mr. Hubbell, Congressman Blute asks about the military's evaluation of the gas insertion plan. He replies that the military critiqued the plan and concluded that it would work. 11:29:40 Congresswoman Lofgren begins her time by asking Doctor Salem if the risk to the Davidians would have been greater had a rapid injection of gas occurred. He replies that once CS-Gas level top off, symptoms do not increase in intensity. 11:32:14 TIME OUT.