Waco Hearings - DAY 10
Waco Hearings - DAY 10
WACO HEARINGS: 8:00-9:02AM - Master Number 11004 - INTRODUCTION: The following footage of the Waco Hearings consists of the questioning of panelist Attorney General, Janet Reno. Questions, and or statements are presented to the panelist from the following Representatives: Hyde, Schumer, Lofgren, Zeliff, Bryant, Schiff and McCollum. 15:54:10 Old footage from Master Number 11012 shows Congressman Hyde reading excerpts from Mr. Smerick's report. 15:57:47 Fresh footage shows Attorney General Reno responding to Congressman Hyde's question about consulting with behavioral scientists. She states that the Crisis Management Team now better balances increasing pressure while at the same time maintain negotiations. 15:58:10 Congressman Schumer begins his time by stating the "Foster File" contained one document which was made available to both the Majority and Minority. He then states that Texas Governor Richards had nothing to do with the Waco investigation. 15:29:44 Congresswoman Lofgren begins her time by asking Attorney General Reno if the use of CS-Gas should be forbidden by law enforcement. She replies no, and is then asked how are funds allocated for different situations, and if current budget cuts is making things difficult. Attorney General Reno replies that because of increased corporation between various departments at the FBI resolutions are more speedy, therefore, costs are kept down. 16:03:23 Congressman Zeliff begins his time by thanking Attorney General Reno for a job well done in Oklahoma City, and then asks that a document from Judge Migfoot be placed into the record. He then makes several statements about accountability before asking why no one from the FBI has been disciplined for Waco. Attorney General Reno replies by stating law enforcement requires independence, and then asserts she can't find any basis for discipline within the FBI. 16:13:29 Congressman Bryant begins his time by making several comments about Texas Governor Richard's giving out Mr. Foster's telephone number. He then asks Attorney General Reno if she retained the ability to cancel the raid at all times. She replies she doesn't know what the FBI would have done had she called the raid off since agents were in a dangerous situation. Rep. Bryant then states it is difficult to believe that the FBI thought by destroying the compound that gas was going to be more affective regardless of the fact there were 35 mile per hour winds. Attorney General Reno replies by stating Acting Attorney General Gershen would agree the President acted accordingly with the Waco situation. She then states Governor Richards may have given out Mr. Foester's number because she did not know the Attorney General was. Attorney General Reno then states the reason she didn't cancel her Baltimore meeting was because adverse attention may have been drawn to the situation, but asserts she was in constant communication. 16:19:22 Congressman Schiff begins his time by asking Attorney General Reno who was in charge of perimeter security at Waco. She replies the FBI, and is then asked if the FBI ever asked for help from local Texas law enforcement agencies. She replies yes, and adds assistance was received, but asserts that nothing could have replaced the Hostage Rescue Team. Congressman Schiff then asks Attorney General Reno if the Davidians who exited the compound after March 31st were checked for weapons and explosives. She replies yes, and then asked what was done with those people. She replies the children were given to family members, and others were taken into custody. Pressing the issue, Congressman Schiff asks if arresting the Davidians consequently made those remaining inside not want to leave. Attorney General Reno answers she couldn't let them leave knowing they participated in the killing of the four ATF Agents. Rep. Schiff then asserts that there was no prior example of a gas attack like the one that occurred at Waco. Attorney General Reno replies she knows, and is then told that Agent Jamar had stated he would have waited a year for Koresh to come out. Attorney General Reno answers she would have also. Pressing the issue, Rep. Schiff asks about the other issues. Attorney General Reno replies she would have waited only if she was given assurances Koresh was in fact going to come out. 16:25:59 Congressman McCollum begins his time by asking Attorney General Reno if it was improbable that mothers were to have exited the compound with their children. She replies by restating previous testimony. Rep. McCollum then asks since it was know that the tanks were likely to have been fired upon, and that the goal was to get the Davidians to come out, why was there still a rapid insertion of gas. Attorney General Reno replies she looked at every possible option, and made the best decision she could given the situation. She then restates previous testimony. Congressman McCollum then asks Attorney General Reno if she was told about Mr. Dagaret's 10-day promise of surrender. She replies by stating she reviewed Koresh's letter but isn't sure if it made specific mention of 10 days. 16:33:47 Chairman McCollum recesses the hearings due to a vote. 16:34:02 The Sub-Committee Chamber is shown in recess. 16:36:40 TIME OUT.