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July 29, 1994 - Part 2
(12:55:40) Senator DAMATO. Let me ask this.- There's a question about the manner Mr. MONROE. Senator, excuse me. There were two parts to that. Of course, the search warrant was issued, as you know, sir, on July 20, but the warrant was not effected until July 21, which would have been the day after his death, sir. Senator D'AMATO. The question is would that have come to anybody's knowledge? Did he get a phone call from Mr. Hale's lawyer? I don't know. Did the FBI ever attempt The CHAIRMAN. Do you want to answer that question? Mr. MoNRoE. Yes, I would, Senator. We have no information or evidence that Mr. Foster received any telephone call Senator DAMATO. Did any White House personnel get a phone call from Mr. Hale's lawyer. Mr. MONROE. I'm not aware of that, sir, but, of course, we are still continuing the investigation as to the follow-up in the White House after Mr. Foster's death, sir. Senator DAMAT0. You'll let us know, then? Mr. MONROE. Absolutely. Senator DAMATO, I'll leave that an open question. Did the FBI ever attempt to determine what time Mr. Foster de parted the White House and do we know if the Secret Service keeps a vehicle exit log? Mr. MONROE. Sir , of our information right now suggests that Mr. Foster departed the White House on July 20 at approximately 1 p.m. Whether or not that departure time was based on interviews or a log by the Secret Service, I am not aware of that, sir, but we know that he left about that at time. 50 We were unable to do that Senator D'AMATO, Would you be able-I mean, this investigation, as it relates to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Foster's death ' wouldn't you look at the vehicle departure log to determine what time be may have left? Is that a routine thing? Mr. COLOMBELL. Senator, I don't believe the vehicle was logged out of the White House. I don't believe it was parked in an area where it would have been logged out of the White House. We confirmed that be left around 1 to 1:15 p.m. I can assure you that I personally and a number of other agents made every effort to try to determine his activities after that point in time up, until the point in time that his body was discovered at Fort Marcy Park. We had witnesses who possibly might have placed him at the park at an earlier time. (12:58:24)(End of tape #10052)
Lynda's Wedding
President Johnson's eldest daughter, Lynda, is married to Marine Corps Captain Charles Robb in the East Room of the White House. It's the first White House wedding in 53 years. Both splendor and poignancy mark the occasion. Within four months, Capt. Robb will begin duty in Vietnam. A black screen reads, "Lynda and Charles - Marriage Takes Place in the White House." President Johnson escorts his daughter past guests. Before a priest, Lynda and Charles cross their hands during their vows. A close-up is made of Lucy Johnson, Maid of Honor. A close-up is made of the President and First Lady. Various shots are made of the ceremony. The couple emerges from the East Room under a canopy of swords held by Marines.
July 29, 1994 - Part 2
(12:50:56) 48 The CHAiRmAN. Thank you very much, Mr. Monroe and thank you for your professionalism and your hard work in what is obviously a very difficult assignment. Dr. Hirsch, let me ask you, is it your professional opinion that Mr. Foster's death was a suicide? Dr. HIRSCH. Yes,, sir, absolutely. The CHAIRMAN. And Mr. Colombell, you participated with Mr. Monroe. I take it you associate yourself with his remarks and it's your professional opinion as well that this was a suicide? Mr. COLOMBELL. I do, Senator. The CHAIRmAN. Now, I'm going to reserve the balance of my time and we're going to a 7-minute question period here. Is there anybody on my side at this point that would wish to raise a question or make a point in the time I have remaining before I yield. Senator BOXER. I have I minute of questions. The CHAIRMAN. I yield 1 minute of my time to Senator Boxer. Senator BOXER. Yes, I would just like to state that Senator Hatch made a comment and I wish he was here. I think if anyone disagrees with the way I remember his point, he said that in his mind there was no question, after reading the report, that this was a suicide but that be said he didn't think that the Special Counsel did an assiduous enough job regarding the connection between the suicide and Whitewater. So I'd like to ask you one more time, Mr. Monroe, because as I understand it, you were the one who developed the state of mind evidence or you were one of the people. If you believe you did an assiduous enough job and you believe that there was no such connection. other than something in his mind that you had no way of knowing? Mr. MONROE. That's a two-part question. First of all, I am prepared to list in detail the manifestation of Vincent Foster's depression, and I can do that and I'd be glad to do so, Maam. The point about the Whitewater, I think, needs to be clarified, and I'd like to clarify that in two ways, Senator. We did not report that Whitewater played no role in Mr. Foster's suicide. We did report that based on all of our interviews that Mr. Foster never expressed a concern regarding this matter, and therefore, we have no evidence to this effect. I know, while -I might be repeating myself, we cannot conclusively rule out such a concern as a possible contributing factor to his illness. And while I'm repeating myself again, that although Whitewater today is of an intense media interest, at the particular time Mr. Foster was going through this depression, the spring and summer of 1993, it was not a media interest and was not according to our investigation, an interest of White House officials. Senator BOXER. But my question was simply do you feel you did a thorough enough investigation of this connection, of this possible connection? Mr. MONROE. Yes, ma'am. Senator BOXER- Or do you think you need to do more of an investigation? Mr. MONROE. No. I believe that we've done a thorough investigation. 49 The CHAIRMAN. Senator D'Amato. Senator D'AMATO, Mr. Monroe, on the day that Vince Foster took his own life, a search warrant obtained for David Hale's office in Arkansas, I believe, was issued; is that correct? Mr. MONROE. That's correct. Senator D'AMATO. Do you know when the paperwork for that search warrant was undertaken and how long it took? Did you interview people in the U.S, Attorney's Office to ascertain how long that took? Mr. MONROE. I'm not familiar with exactly how long it took, Senator. Senator D'AMATO. Did you interview people down there to see if there was any leak as it relates to that information being put out? Mr. MoNTRoE. I don't recall, Senator, how many people we interviewed but we uncovered no evidence to the effect that Mr. Foster was aware of the issuance of that particular search warrant. Senator D'AMATO. Mr. Hale's attorney called the White House or called Mr. Foster. There was some talk about that. If you have any information, I'd like to know about it. Mr. MONROE. I do not, Senator. Senator DAMATO, Has that been looked into? Mr. MONROE. Yes, sir. Senator D'AMATO, And we have no information with regard to that call from Mr. Hale's attorney? Mr. MONROE. I have no information in our investigation that there was any contact between Mr. Hale and Mr. Foster, Senator.
The Cliff of Death Bridge
At least 35 construction workers are killed in the collapse of a bridge in Mexico. The search for victims is hampered by tons of concrete and twisted steel. The bridge gave way without warning and plunged 350 feet into a deep gorge. A portion frame hangs from the edge of bridge pillion. The camera pans left to show the gap between the two sides of the bridge. Searchers dig through twisted metal and concrete looking for bodies. Bodies are carried out of the wreckage on stretchers.
New Giant Jet
The "Concorde" built jointly by the British and French, makes its debut. Carrying over 140 passengers, it's expected to cut the U.S. - Europe flight time in half when it goes into service in 1971. Footage focuses on the debut of the Concord. A ribbon-cutting ceremony. A tractor pulls the craft from its' hanger. Shots of its' underbelly and nose. Crowds of people stand around the craft.
Telescope
The largest telescope in Europe goes into operation in England. The 8-foot-wide mirror will transfer the image of distant stars to photographic plates. It's accurate to one-millionth of an inch. The Sir Isaac Newton Telescope is shown from a fare. Various shots are made from within the observatory. A technician works the positioning controls. There is a cool shot of the lens opening to take in light. Spinning dials.
Tourists and religious pilgrims flock to Bethlehem
Tourists and religious pilgrims flock to Bethlehem to observe Christmas and view the sacred spots such as the Church of the Nativity. It's the most unrestricted observance in 20 years. A view from a hill shows the City of Bethlehem. Buildings and bell towers are made of stone, and appear weathered. Religious pilgrims enter a small door leading into the Church of the Nativity. Various shots are made of a mass being said with the Church's grotto. A priest blesses the bread by holding it out before him and speaking a prayer. Churchgoers watch with odd looks in their eyes, and then eat the blessed bread.
July 29, 1994 - Part 3
(12:53:54) (Beginning of tape #10053) is of an intense media interest, at the particular time Mr. Foster was going through this depression, the spring and summer of 1993, it was not a media interest and was not according to our investigation, an interest of White House officials. Senator BOXER. But my question was simply do you feel you did a thorough enough investigation of this connection, of this possible connection? Mr. MONROE. Yes, ma'am. Senator BOXER- Or do you think you need to do more of an investigation? Mr. MONROE. No. I believe that we've done a thorough investigation. 49 The CHAIRMAN. Senator D'Amato. Senator D'AMATO, Mr. Monroe, on the day that Vince Foster took his own life, a search warrant obtained for David Hale's office in Arkansas, I believe, was issued; is that correct? Mr. MONROE. That's correct. Senator D'AMATO. Do you know when the paperwork for that search warrant was undertaken and how long it took? Did you interview people in the U.S, Attorney's Office to ascertain how long that took? Mr. MONROE. I'm not familiar with exactly how long it took, Senator. Senator D'AMATO. Did you interview people down there to see if there was any leak as it relates to that information being put out? Mr. MoNTRoE. I don't recall, Senator, how many people we interviewed but we uncovered no evidence to the effect that Mr. Foster was aware of the issuance of that particular search warrant. Senator D'AMATO. Mr. Hale's attorney called the White House or called Mr. Foster. There was some talk about that. If you have any information, I'd like to know about it. Mr. MONROE. I do not, Senator. Senator DAMATO, Has that been looked into? Mr. MONROE. Yes, sir. Senator D'AMATO, And we have no information with regard to that call from Mr. Hale's attorney? Mr. MONROE. I have no information in our investigation that there was any contact between Mr. Hale and Mr. Foster, Senator. (12:55:40) Senator DAMATO. Let me ask this.- There's a question about the manner Mr. MONROE. Senator, excuse me. There were two parts to that. Of course, the search warrant was issued, as you know, sir, on July 20, but the warrant was not effected until July 21, which would have been the day after his death, sir. Senator D'AMATO. The question is would that have come to anybody's knowledge? Did he get a phone call from Mr. Hale's lawyer? I don't know. Did the FBI ever attempt The CHAIRMAN. Do you want to answer that question? Mr. MoNRoE. Yes, I would, Senator. We have no information or evidence that Mr. Foster received any telephone call Senator DAMATO. Did any White House personnel get a phone call from Mr. Hale's lawyer. Mr. MONROE. I'm not aware of that, sir, but, of course, we are still continuing the investigation as to the follow-up in the White House after Mr. Foster's death, sir. Senator DAMAT0. You'll let us know, then? Mr. MONROE. Absolutely. Senator DAMATO, I'll leave that an open question. Did the FBI ever attempt to determine what time Mr. Foster de parted the White House and do we know if the Secret Service keeps a vehicle exit log? Mr. MONROE. Sir , of our information right now suggests that Mr. Foster departed the White House on July 20 at approximately 1 p.m. Whether or not that departure time was based on interviews or a log by the Secret Service, I am not aware of that, sir, but we know that he left about that at time. 50 We were unable to do that Senator D'AMATO, Would you be able-I mean, this investigation, as it relates to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Foster's death ' wouldn't you look at the vehicle departure log to determine what time be may have left? Is that a routine thing? Mr. COLOMBELL. Senator, I don't believe the vehicle was logged out of the White House. I don't believe it was parked in an area where it would have been logged out of the White House. We confirmed that be left around 1 to 1:15 p.m. I can assure you that I personally and a number of other agents made every effort to try to determine his activities after that point in time up, until the point in time that his body was discovered at Fort Marcy Park. We had witnesses who possibly might have placed him at the park at an earlier time. (12:58:24)(End of tape #10052) But because of the passage of time we could not confirm through interview of those witnesses that that was, in fact, Mr. Foster's car that was observed going into the park at an earlier point in the day The CHAIRMAN. Could you pull the mike a little closer for any further responses. Thank you. Mr. COLOMBELL. Certainly, Senator. Senator D'AmATO, Although it's not mentioned in the report of the Independent Counsel, a pager was found on Mr. Foster in Fort Marcy Park. The record also shows that the Secret Service arranged to remove the pager from the Park Police custody the night of Oster's death before any analysis of the pager could be done by Park Police investigators to see whether any numbers were retained in the pager's memory. Do you 'know why the pager was recovered so quickly by the White House after the death of Mr. Foster? Could the pager have contained some numbers called in previously? Did you learn if usual Park-was this the usual Park Police---procedures were followed or were they circumvented? Mr. COLOMBELL. Our investigation confirmed that there bad been pages that went out to Mr. Foster from staff members of the White House, and I stand corrected, but I believe it was either Mr. Nussbaum or members of his office that might have attempted to page him. I would like to-rather than provide information that I'm not absolutely sure of-provide ythe Committee with a supplemental follow-up on information that might be pertinent with regard to that question, Senator.
Violence Ended: Nicaragua's Army Defeats Attempted Coup.
Two days of violent political street-fighting in Managua, brings death to thirty-five rebels with twice as many wounded. The revolt comes from opposition to the ruling Somoza family. Moderate Fernando Aguero, General Somoza's opponent, admitted an aborted coup. Exterior shot of a building that has suffered damages due to the street fighting. CU A burned out car. Same building, shot taken from a different angle. An armed military man stands on the corner by the building. CU Broken windows. Low Angle Shot of a balcony that has suffered some damage. CU Graffiti painted on the building "Nomas Somota". CU A military soldier checking civilians for guns and knives. A building in Nicaragua's business district, people walking around, camera pans up.
Two Faces of Nature
Weather shows two faces in three separate locations. In Missouri, a sudden tornado kills one and injures twenty. In New York, mid-winter temperatures soar to a spring-like 67 degrees. Lastly in Rio de Janeiro: Rain, floods, and mudslides kill 500 people
Podgorny In Rome (News In Brief)
Soviet President Nikolai Podgorny makes a week-long visit to Italy. He's greeted on his arrival in Rome by President Giuseppe Saragat and other diplomats. They meet for talks on expanding Soviet-Italian trade and a proposed future European defense conference. Soviet President Nikolai Vikorovich Podorny disembarks a plane. He shakes hands with politicians representing Italy. CU Italian Honor Guard bearing flags in full uniform. CU President Nikolai Podgorny moving amongst the crowd.
South Vietnam Premier Ky Visits Australia
South Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Cao Ky and Mrs. Ky make a goodwill visit to Australia. In Brisbane, violent demonstrations mark Ky's arrival. In Sydney, Prime Minister Harold Holt hosts a boat trip across the city's harbor. A protesting crowd huddled together shouts, waves and holds up signs "Go Home Murderer And Take Holt With You." In Sydney Australia, ECU Prime Minister, Harold Holt takes Premier Nguyen Cao Ky and his wife, Kim Nicole Le, on a boat trip. It looks like a yacht cruise across the city's harbor. Prime Minister Holt and Premier Nguyen Cao Ky wave to some people manning a small sail boat. A big wave hits the small sail boat.
Viet Cong Prisoners - Wounded Children - USS Repose
Viet Cong prisoners are taken after a V.C. regiment is crushed in the heaviest fighting near Saigon since the start of the war. Meanwhile, the hospital ship U.S.S. Repose cares for thousands of Vietnamese civilians and children in a tradition of mercy. A crowd of young men (Captured Viet Cong prisoners) sitting on the ground surrounded by the South Vietnamese soldiers. CU Confiscated weapons, grenades, riffles, ammunition and machine guns. CU The soldiers are blindfolding the captured Viet Cong prisoners. A medical helicopter is landing on a hospital ship the USS Repose with wounded Vietnamese children. A sailor washing very gently a little Vietnamese boy. Vietnamese children sitting in their hospital beds aboard the USS Repose. Children being led on the deck of the USS Repose by a Naval Nurse. Aerial Shot USS Repose.
S.S. Atlantic Goes Aground
Off Port Everglades, Florida, the Caribbean cruise ship S.S. Atlantic goes aground on a reef. For three days, various methods are used to float her free. Meanwhile the passengers enjoy themselves as if nothing happened. Finally, she's towed back to her home port. An evening shot of the SS Atlantic cruise ship, most of the lights are on. Low Angle Shot passengers throw streamers off the deck. Passengers dance wearing leis and straw hats to the music of a small band. High Angle Shot the stuck passenger liner is pushed and pulled from the reef by tug boats.
Russians Ashore Cargo Ship
Russian sailors take shore leave in San Francisco. Among their adventures: a feast at Fishermen's Wharf, cable car rides, shopping, hot dogs and beer! The crew originates from Vladivostok. LS Russian Naval Cargo Ship docked in San Francisco. Russian sailors, men and women, walk away from their ship on shore-leave. At Fishermen's Warf the sailors are inside a fresh seafood restaurant trying crab. Some of the sailors are having fun turning a cable car around. CU the sailors sit on the cable car riding. Low Angle shot of Woolworth store sign and entrance. Sailors going inside Woolworth's. ECU a Russian sailor wearing a knit hat eyes the hot dogs. ECU female Russian sailor eats a hot dog and smiles. High Angle shot a restaurant manager showing the sailors a picture of a buffalo. CU the sailors eat buffalo steaks and have a beer.
July 29, 1994 - Part 3
(13:00:13) Senator D'AMATO. Why don't I give you these questions in writing and then if you could ascertain where that pager went, how it went, under whose direction, what took place to it, was there a check made for numbers. Did it go to White House personnel? flow come it was removed from the body? Is that usual procedure? Mr. COLOMBELL. I think that's a question, if you re saying is that usual U.S. Park Police procedure, I would respectfully submit that you ask the Park Police that question. It is my understanding that the pager was returned by the Park Police. And as I mentioned, I would prefer to be able to provide a more complete response in writing if I could, sir. Senator D'AMATO. Fine. All right, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator D'Amato. Does anyone on our side seek recognition at this point? Senator Sarbanes. 51 Senator SARBANES. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Monroe, you were asked about logging a vehicle out of the White House- this was not a White House vehicle or White House car or anything, it was Mr, Foster's own car. Mr. MONROE. It was his personal 1993 Honda that was used, his personal vehicle. Senator SARBANES. That's the car he commuted to work with and then he left and went out this afternoon in that car? Mr. MONROE. That's correct, sir. Senator SARBANES. And I wanted to clarify one thing about the pager Mr. Colombell, which is I think you indicated had a message or two from Nussbaum or someone in his office on it; is that--I mean, an effort to reach him; is that correct? Mr. COLOMBELL. That, I believe, is correct. Senator SARBANES. Now, Foster was Deputy Counsel to Nussbaum; is that correct? Mr. COLOMBELL. That is correct, Senator. Senator SARBANES. In other words, he worked in that office? Mr. COLOMBELL. That is correct, he worked next door. Senator SARBANES. Dr. Hirsch, I'd like to ask you if you could just briefly give the Committee your background and experience in working these kinds of issues. Dr. HIRSCH. How about my current position, sir? Do you want me to review my entire curriculum vitae? Senator SARBANES. I'm sure that's very lengthy. Why don't you give enough of it so that we can qualify you as an expert here today. Dr. HiRSCH. I've been a practicing full-time career forensic pathologist since I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1969. Since then, I've worked in my capacity as a forensic pathologist for 10 years at the coroner's office in Cleveland, Ohio, 51/2 years at the coroner's office in Cincinnati, Ohio. I served 4 years as the chief medical examiner of Suffolk County, New York, which is the eastern two-thirds of Long Island. And for the last 51/2 years I've been the chief medical examiner of the city of New York. Senator SARBANES. Chairman Riegle asked you your view on whether the Vincent Foster death was suicide and my recollection is you said yes, absolutely; is that correct? HIRSCH. Yes, sir. Senator SARBANES. Now, you served on a panel, you were one of a four- member panel that examined this matter; is that correct? Dr. HIRSCH, Yes, sir. Senator SARBANES. Are you in a position to tell us whether the other members of the panel agree with you in that judgment-is their judgment the same as yours on this matter? Dr. HIRSCH. Absolute] Senator SARBANES. All four of you? HIRSCH. All four of us unanimous without objection. Senator SARBANES. Mr. Monroe, are you familiar with the other scenarios or theories that are being a advanced with respect to the Foster death? Mr. MONROE. Somewhat familiar, Senator. There have been a host of them, 52 Senator SARBANES. I take it in preparing the report, you examine them; is that correct, or at least some of the assertions that were being made? I mean, there have been some very far-out assertions made in this matter. Mr. MONROE, That is correct, Senator. Senator SARBANES. Did you find any credible basis for those as. sertions? They're really directly contrary to the conclusions you've reached. You've reached a conclusion, and we understand how firm you are about it. I'm just curious as to whether you think these alternative scenarios have any credible bases to them. Thank you. The CHAiRmAN. Senator Bond. Senator BOND. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Monroe, I am concerned about the basis for the conclusion in the Independent Counsel's report that the Whitewater/Madison. issues were neither a matter of express concern in the White House nor that Mr. Foster did not have a concern about Whitewater. Were you the one who conducted the interview of Assistant U.S. Attorney, Fletcher Jackson, in Little Rock? Mr. MONROE. I was not. Senator BOND. Who did? Mr. MONROE. The location? Where was that, Senator BOND Who did the interview of the sir? Assistant U.S. Attorney Fletcher Jackson?
Raiders - Oilers
A Hewritt Dixon T.D. and four field goals by George Blands beat the Houston Oilers, 19-7. The victory makes the Oakland Raiders AFL Western Division Champions. A black screen reads "Football - Raiders 19 - Oilers 7." Crowd shots. Various plays are shown. Shots of the score board.
Silver Bridge Collapse
Scores of vehicles, unknown dead in Silver bridge collapse. Cranes clean up damage and victims are loaded into medical vehicle. A black screen reads, "Scores of Vehicles, Unknown Dead in Ohio Bridge Collapse." A suspension bridge is shown over a river. Large cranes atop barges work to lift sections of bridge from the water. Close-ups of wreckage sticking out of the water. Various shots of the bridge are shown. A press crew watches from the shore. An amphibious vehicle emerges from the water. Bodies on stretchers are unloaded by emergency personal and placed into waiting emergency vehicles.
P.O. Fire Destroys Christmas Mail
Post office fire destroys tons of Christmas mail. Firefighters fight blaze using hoses and ladders. Thick columns of smoke pour out a burning building has hook and ladder trucks shoot water. Streetlights illuminate dimly through soot and ash. Close-up shows two firefighters holding a spraying hose. The extension on a hook and ladder truck moves to position a fireman closer to a window with his hose. Crowd shot features two women crying over burnt mail.
Viet Airlift - 101st Division
(Unable to read xereo copy) (480,000 troops in Vietnam)
Australian Premier Dies - Wate
The premier disappeared near his beach home. Footage of Premier enjoying water. A fishing boat bobs in the surf. A skin diver suits up Shots of the rocky shoreline. The diver falls into the water holding a spear, and then swims down to retrieve a fish that was hit and then pulls it to the surface.
July 29, 1994 - Part 3
(13:05:37) Mr. MONROE. No, it was not, sir, Senator BOND. Could you find out for us who did conduct that interview? Mr, MONROE. Yes, sir. Senator BOND. Mr. Chairman, we have a Federal Bureau of Investigation report on the inquiries made of Fletcher Jackson, Assistant U.S. Attorney. In there, be stated that be did not remember exactly what day the search warrant for Mr. Hale's Little Rock office was signed. He knew several people who were aware of it, including the judge, the Judge's secretary, an acting U.S. Attorney, and maybe some other FBI personnel would know about it. Now, to your knowledge, Mr, Monroe, were other individuals interviewed at the U.S. Attorney's Office? If so, who? Mr. MONROE. What I know about that aspect of the case, Senator, was that everyone who bad knowledge of the particular issuance of that search warrant were interviewed to determine whether or not that information got out and our investigation shows that that information was not given out specifically to Mr. Foster. I do not have, Senator, at my disposal right now, the identity of all of those individuals that were interviewed but we'd be obviously glad to supply that for you, sir. Senator BOND. Mr. Chairman the only FBI interview report that we have received is one related to Mr. Fletcher Jackson. I would like to make that a part of the record. At this point, I would ask were there other reports on other interviews made of personnel in the U.S, Attorney's Off- ice? Mr. MONROE. I'm not aware of that, sir, Senator BOND. If you have those, we would appreciate receiving those 53 Mr. MONROE. Yes, sir. Senator BOND. I would note also Mr. COLOMBELL. I have traveled to Little Rock in connection with the death investigation of Mr. Foster. I think perhaps it would clarify things if it was noted that the investigative staff here in Washington, bad as our primary concern with regard to this bearing today our investigation in Washington, DC. But in traveling to Little Rock I did have an interest in whether or not there was any leak of that search warrant, if that would have been a factor in Mr. Foster's death. A supervisor down there, the agent supervisor, and I bad occasion to spend some time together and be discussed that he investigated and the agents that are working with him had the responsibility for that-to look into that, and he assured me that they could find no reason to believe that there was information leaked with regard to the search warrant. Senator BOND. Can you say specifically whether be interviewed other members of the U.S. Attorney's Office? Mr. COLOMBELL. No, I cannot. Senator BOND. Mr. Chairman, I believe we need to have that information because, as the Chairman and Ranking Member will recall, in the information supplied to us, the Independent Counsel's only evidence appears to be this one interview of Fletcher Jackson in which the date was uncertain and in which be further stated that it was possible that someone could have made a telephone call. We requested and the Chairman and the Ranking Member approved a request to conduct telephone depositions with employees of the Little Rock U.S. Attorney's Office. The Department of Justice concurred. Arrangements were made, and the Department of Justice sent a representative to Little Rock.
July 29, 1994 - Part 3
(13:40:35) Mr. MONROE. That's correct. Senator KERRY. The warrant was not, in fact served until the day after Vincent Foster had taken his life; is that accurate? Mr. MONROE. That's accurate. It was served on July 21st. Senator FERRY. So this is speculation; is that correct? Mr. MONROE. That's correct. Senator KERRY. Now let me clarify for my colleagues on thc other side why this issue has come up about what is appropriate or not appropriate today. Now, I can understand why some of them may be expressing some embarrassment about the questions surrounding the death, but I do not think it is fair to suggest that there isn't cause for concern on this side about why we're here. Vincent Foster tragically took his life a year ago, 1 year ago, but as of March of this year, the Minority Leader was suggesting or calling the death an alleged suicide." As of this year. the House Republican Whip was publicly saying there's a lot out there that's weird. As of this year, Senators on this Committee were saying they didn't know where he might have died or where this took place, leaving of the notion out there it might have been somewhere else. As is year, another Senator in this Committee talked about the very mysterious circumstances under which he died. As of this year, a report published by former assistants to Jim Baker and Congressman Kemp reported that the office of Senator Moynihan was putting out the word that Foster committed suicide at a private park in Virginia. Not one Senator went to the floor to contradict this. There was a minor stock market crash. Moynihan put out the word it was a total fabrication, but there isn't any evidence whatsoever of this kind of totally fabricated element turning up in a Republican financial newsletter, which it didn't. In recent days, Jerry Falwell has been describing Mr.. Foster's death as mysterious, asking publicly whether it was a suicide and speculating breathlessly that it was a murder. The Wall Street Journal editorialized 2 days after his death that in the view of the,, newspaper he was "an unlikely suicide." And later The Wall Street' Journal described a report that be was murdered by a drug-deal ing-cabal of drug-dealing officers. That appeared on August 6, 1993. A well-known Republican media consultant who brought us the Willy Horton ads has been raising money money off of Mr. Foster's death by suggesting it wasn't suicide and calling for a new inves- tigation of this "mysterious death." So this is why- Senator DODD. As late as July 13th, the Congressman from Indi- ana has been literally filling the Congressional Record with:.." most obscene accusations regarding this as well. It's not just months ago. Senator KERRY. So when my colleagues say to us, I don't know why my friends on the other side of the aisle are concerned this, this is out there and now is the time to put it to rest. 63 I ask you, based on your 30 years of experience, based on your 25 years of experience, have you learned anything at all as sworn FBI officers that suggest that any of the things I read off there could be true? Mr. Monroe. Mr. MONROE. No, sir. Mr. COLOMBELL. No, sir. Dr. HIRSCH. Senator, I'm not a sworn FBI officer, but I do have an opinion about something you raised, and that concerns the place of Mr. Foster's death. It is my unequivocal, categorical opinion that it was impossible for him to have been killed elsewhere. Senator KERRY. You've done something like 20,000 autopsies, have you not? Dr. HIRSCH. I've lost track, Many thousands. Senator KERRY. I appreciate those opinions and I just think it really goes to underscore the damage the words have-thoughtlessness of this process, and we're not creating this, my friends. These things were said by other people. They're out there as a matter of record, and now is the time to clear it up.
July 29, 1994 - Part 3
(13:10:15) Depositions were scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, 1994, to conduct simple telephone interviews of members of the U.S. Attorney's Office. We had been advised in preparation that one of the witnesses said there was a reporter from The New York Times who said be bad a source in the Little Rock U.S. Attorney's Office. We wanted to inquire whether any of these people might have been contacted or might have had knowledge of that. When we were notified at the last moment-after the court reporter had been sent to the office, after the representative of the Department of Justice bad been sent there--that there was some problem. There was a delay. All of a sudden, the depositions were beyond the scope of the Senate bearings. The depositions were not Allowed to go forward and finally at 3:45 p.m., on Tuesday afternoon, Minority Counsel was informed that the depositions could not be taken. Mr. Chairman, this raises questions as to why the depositions "Were not allowed, after you and the Ranking Member had agreed we should be able to take these depositions by telephone, and the Department of Justice bad concurred and sent a representative to Little Rock and even arranged for a court reporter. I will provide a full account of this incident, because in the investigation of this matter we continue to run into areas where all of a sudden normal investi ative channels are precluded. We're very much concerned as to why these telephone depositions could not go forward. I would 54 urge you, as part of your investigative responsibility, to pursue questions as to what people in the U.S. Attorney's Office might have known and who might they have contacted. I have other questions, but Mr. Chairman, I will submit this interview with Mr. Fletcher Jackson for the record. The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, we will make it part of the record. Mr, MONROE. Can I respond to the Senator? While I'm not aware of the problems you've described of the telephone deposition, let me assure you, sir, that we will supply to you the interviews of all the people that were contacted relative to the issuance of that search warrant, sir. Senator BOND. I appreciate that, Mr. Chairman. And my own great concern is-if it was a normal course of interviews, why our interviews scheduled for Tuesday were not permitted to go forward, The CHAIRMAN. Let me examine that question, but in response to the earlier question you've raised as to the assurance you've asked for from these other individuals that there was no leakage of this information Mr. Monroe has offered to nail that down, as I understand it, and so that will be done. Mr. MONROE. That's correct, Senator. The CHAIRMAN. As you sit here today, having reviewed this previous load, your testimony is that you found no evidence, you and Mr. Colombell found no evidence, whatsoever that this information did get out? Mr. MONROE. That's correct. The CHAIRMAN. That's where it stands today and you're going to go ahead and answer those questions that Senator Bond has just posed in that area. Mr. MONROE. That's correct, Senator. Senator BOND. Mr. Chairman, just to be clear, this interview with Fletcher Jackson is the only interview that has come to Mr. Monroe's attention. Thus, is this the only interview that was submitted to the Independence Counsel's Office in preparation of the report? Mr. MoNROE. No, sir, there are other interviews. I just don't know bow many or who they are, pertaining to this particular matter Senator BOND, To the U.S. Attorney's Office? Mr. MONROE. I'm not sure. Senator BOND. There are other interviews, yes. We have other interviews of Mr. Buck, Mr. Rather, Mr. Lyons, but are there other interviews that you have? Mr. MONROE. I'm not familiar with exactly who was interviewed relative to this issue as to whether there were other people in the U.S. Attorney's Office. But we can make available to you all of the people who were contacted or interviewed regarding this matter, Senator. Senator BOND. Would you have not submitted to us other interviews of the U.S. Attorney's Office if they were in our possession? Mr. MONROE. I guess they should have been, Senator. I'm not aware of that aspect of the investigation.