Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 29, 1993 TAG: 9304290232
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Knight-Ridder/Tribune and The New York Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
"It was my call, and I made it the best way I knew how," Reno said of her approval of an FBI plan to pump tear gas into the Branch Davidians' Ranch Apocalypse on April 19. The action was followed by a fire in which cult leader David Koresh and more than 80 of his followers perished.
Most House Judiciary Committee members blamed Koresh and expressed sympathy and support for Reno, praising her candor and swift acceptance of responsibility.
But Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., rattled her by denouncing the government's actions from beginning to end as "a profound disgrace to law enforcement."
He told Reno, "You did exactly the right thing by offering to resign," and he said he refused to "rationalize the deaths of two dozen children."
Reno's voice cracked as she replied: "I'm not trying to rationalize the deaths of children. I feel more strongly about that than you will ever know."
Having recovered, she declared firmly: "I will not engage in recrimination."
Conyers did not say what he thought the government should have done.
Reno momentarily lost her composure again after Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., accused her of having made "tremendous efforts" to insulate President Clinton during her late-night television appearances after the fire.
"I was not trying to shield the president," Reno said. "I don't think I've ever been so - I guess lonely is the word.
"It was 12:20 at night. The first call I got was from my sister. She said, `Atta girl.' The second call I got was from the president of the United States, saying, `Atta girl.' "
The Judiciary Committee questioned Reno, FBI Director William S. Sessions and Stephen E. Higgins, director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, as part of an investigative process aimed at improving the way law enforcement agencies handle standoffs with cult-like groups.
Several committee members urged tougher gun laws and suggested that law enforcement functions of the ATF be merged into those of the FBI. Four ATF agents were killed and 16 were wounded during an assault on the heavily armed cult compound on Feb. 28.
Higgins would not concede that his agency knew that cult members had been tipped off before the raid.
"It looks to me like you both screwed up somewhat," Rep. Carlos J. Moorhead, R-Calif., told the FBI and ATF directors.
Reno said the weapons stored in the cult compound played a major role in her decision to use tear gas instead of waiting.
In addition, she said, the FBI informed her that Koresh and his followers had enough food and water to last a year or more, negotiations had broken down, child abuse was believed to be continuing in the compound, and the FBI's crack 50-member hostage rescue team was tiring and irreplaceable.
Ultimately, Reno said, she became "convinced that . . . allowing the status quo to remain was not going to lead to an ultimate peaceful resolution. . . . On the contrary, the passage of time only increased the likelihood of . . . injuries and harm."
Sessions said the FBI tried every negotiation tactic "from sending in videotapes from family members and milk for the children to allowing Koresh's lawyers inside the compound."
Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen signaled Wednesday that Higgins will be asked to step down.
Bentsen issued a statement saying he was "deeply troubled by conflicting statements" about the Feb. 28 raid. Other administration officials said the remarks were aimed at Higgins.
The ATF is a Treasury Department agency.
Administration officials said Bentsen's reference to Higgins concerned whether agents knew the cult was waiting as the raid began.
by CNB