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04/20/93
FBI plan had Reno's approval; Goal was to force talks or evacuation, she says
By Anne Marie Kilday and Kathy Lewis / The Dallas Morning News
WASHINGTON-Attorney General Janet Reno took full responsibility Monday for the FBI actions that resulted in the apparent mass suicide of followers of Branch Davidian sect leader David Koresh.
"I approved the plan and I am responsible for it,' the attorney general told reporters at the Justice Department, which oversees the FBI.
Ms. Reno called the events near Waco "an extraordinarily tragic and horrible situation.'
The FBI plan to "put pressure' on Mr. Koresh and his followers inside their compound had been under consideration for about a week, Ms. Reno said. By Monday, the 51st day of the siege, the situation appeared to be reaching a crisis, she said, citing reports that Mr. Koresh was beating babies.
"We had information . . . that babies were being beaten,' she said.
"I specifically asked, "You really mean babies?' (and the reply was) "Yes, that he's slapping babies around.' '
"These are concerns that we had,' she said.
Ms. Reno said she informed President Clinton about the FBI plan "over the weekend' and that he said, "OK.'
The White House issued a statement late Monday afternoon in which Mr. Clinton defended the FBI's actions.
"I told the attorney general to do what she thought was right, and I stand by that decision,' the president said.
Ms. Reno said the FBI's plan was designed to either "induce serious negotiations or the evacuation of the compound' with limited risks to sect members and federal agents.
The standoff began Feb. 28, when four agents of the Treasury Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were killed in a raid on the sect's headquarters.
In its deliberations, Ms. Reno said, the FBI considered the possibility that its plan-ramming the compound with armored vehicles and spraying tear gas inside-might prompt Mr. Koresh and his followers to commit mass suicide.
But she said law enforcement officials did not believe that would happen.
"Obviously, if I thought the chances were great of a mass suicide, I never would have approved the plan. Everything that we were told, every indication-reactions to the pressure up to that point-was that would not occur,' she said.
Ms. Reno said she had carefully reviewed the FBI's plan, to the extent of consulting with doctors about tear gas to ensure that there would be no lasting health effects on those inside the compound.
About six hours after law enforcement officials launched their efforts, the sect headquarters erupted in flames. FBI officials said agents with high-powered rifle scopes observed sect members setting fires at opposite ends of the compound.
"I have absolutely no doubt at all that the cult members set it, based on all the information that has been presented to me,' Ms. Reno said.
The blaze reduced the compound to a smoking ruin in less than an hour.
White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers said the president "expressed sadness at the events today in Waco, particularly at the apparent deaths of the children.'
According to White House communications director George Stephanopoulos, Mr. Clinton raised no objections to the FBI's plans when they were presented over the weekend.
"Of course, the president takes responsibility for what's done in his government, but it is under the operational control of the Justice Department,' Mr. Stephanopoulos said.
Although White House aides said Mr. Clinton did not directly authorize the FBI actions, he did not overrule them.
"Had he raised objections, I'm certain that that may have had an effect on the decision. But the Justice Department clearly has the authority,' Mr. Stephanopoulos said.
"He's clearly relying on the judgment of the FBI and the attorney general, and he's combining that with his own judgment as the options are presented to him,' he said.
Mr. Clinton received periodic reports from the FBI throughout the day Monday and was monitoring the situation closely, Mr. Stephanopoulos said.
Asked about reports that the White House previously had rejected various FBI plans to end the stalemate, Mr. Stephanopoulos said the Justice Department had the authority to use its best judgment in handling the situation.
"Avoiding loss of life is implicit in using best judgment,' he said.
Ms. Reno played down speculation that she was taking heat for the White House over the unexpected "mass suicides.'
"I made the decision. I am accountable,' she said. "I don't do spin stuff. I'm telling you what happened.'
Later on CNN's Larry King Live, the attorney general said she would welcome congressional investigations of the events in Waco.
"I think one of the reasons that I have to be accountable to people and be willing to answer questions is so that everybody will understand that there is no cover-up.'
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