Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 9, 1993 TAG: 9303090192
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From The Washington Post and The Associated Press
DATELINE: WACO, TEXAS LENGTH: Medium
CULT LEADER DARES U.S. AGENTS
Cult leader David Koresh is telling federal agents that he wants "the government to engage in an all-out firefight" at his fortified compound so he can die a martyr, an FBI spokesman said Monday."We are ready for war; let's get it on," Koresh has told negotiators in a taunting tone of voice, FBI special agent Bob Ricks said.
"Your talk is becoming in vain. I'm going to give you an opportunity to save yourself before you get blown away," Koresh reportedly said.
Officials trying to negotiate release of 90 adults and 17 children inside with Koresh have played down the "negative part of his personality" during the nine-day standoff, Ricks said. But now, he added, these officials believe that "it's important for the American public to know what we are dealing with."
Koresh said he has been prepared for a fight since 1985, and some of his Branch Davidian followers say they are ready to follow him to their deaths, Ricks said.
To provoke authorities, Ricks said, machine guns have been aimed at agents through portholes in the compound, and Koresh has boasted that he has the firepower to blast armored Bradley Fighting Vehicles "40 to 50 feet in the air."
Ricks said Koresh may have assembled "rockets" or other explosive devices. Federal agents said they have learned that Koresh may have obtained armor-piercing missiles.
Because of increasing concern that Koresh does have explosives, FBI officials said, Defense Secretary Les Aspin approved deployment of M-1 Abrams tanks. The M-1 is the Army's state-of-the-art battle vehicle that is more heavily armored than the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and was used with considerable success in the Persian Gulf War.
Ricks said the tanks would be used only defensively. A Defense Department source said the M-1s probably were dispatched by the Texas National Guard or from Fort Hood in Killeen, about 60 miles southwest of Waco.
FBI officials said another assault would play into Koresh's hands. Still unclear is why, in mounting the initial assault, the ATF chose the very tactic for which Koresh apparently had been praying and preparing. Congressional and Justice Department officials have said they plan to review the decision.