Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 15, 1995 TAG: 9505160036
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From the Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
``This diversion'' is being used by some Republicans to stall the progress of anti-terrorism legislation in Congress. To compare the two tragedies is ``despicable,'' Panetta said.
His remarks on CBS' ``Face the Nation'' came amid plans by Republicans for congressional hearings on the Waco raid, which ended in the deaths of more than 80 cult members after a 51-day standoff with federal agents.
Panetta said there is ``no question that mistakes were made'' in the raid, but he said Congress and the administration have already examined the case and that congressional hearings would serve little purpose.
Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols are charged in the Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people. Federal authorities on Sunday still were searching for John Doe No. 2, who witnesses say they saw with McVeigh when he allegedly rented a truck that authorities say carried the bomb.
In Phoenix, Steven Garrett Colbern, who reportedly told investigators he knew McVeigh, remained in custody Sunday after Friday's arrest. He was held without bail on charges stemming from an old federal weapons case. The Justice Department had no comment on a New York Times report that authorities now believe Colbern probably did not have a role in the bombing, spokesman Bert Brandenburg said Sunday.
by CNB