July 25, 1995 - Part 3
July 25, 1995 - Part 3
(11:30:49) Mr. GEARAN. I would read my notes as telling the White House that he thinks---"he," Mr. Heymann-that the chances are that the Park Police will release it in some time, meaning, I think, I would suspect, a short period of time. If there was wrongdoing in the finding of the note, it would take longer. He was Senator SHELBY. Sure, a longer investigation, obviously? Mr. GEARAN. I would think that would be a fair reading of it, yes, sir. Senator SHELBY. The next thing in your handwriting, as I understand it, says "authenticity of note and circumstances under which it was found," Was that you were trying to figure out how to get the news out regarding the note, or what does that mean? Mr. GEARAN. I would suspect this is the process that the investigators would need to go through. Senator SHELBY. To authenticate the note? Mr. GEARAN. To authenticate the note with relevant handwriting analysis and to look at all the circumstances under which it was found. Senator SHELBY. Then Heymann's statement was, best guess-all will go forward without any interruption. It doesn't say that I'm just reading it that way. Do you want to interpret that? Read what you mean. Mr. GEARAN. fie's saying that his best guess---"his," again, Mr. Heymann's-is that it will all go forward without an investigation and that it would be-there would be suspicions if it was released today. Senator SHELBY. Then, the next item, what are you saying there, "talking with the Park Police at high level"-this is Heymann speaking, and you're making notes; right? Mr. GEARAN. That's correct, sir. I would read this as he is talking---"he again, Mr. Heymann-is talking with the Park Police at a high level, and there's a parenthetical, "[Tom Collier]," who know to be the Chief of Staff for the Secretary of the Interior. 271 Senator SHELBY. Did Heymann make clear-is this the next item here in your handwriting, "made clear that White House wanted to know if there was an objection regarding the releasing of the note"? Mr. GEARAN. That's correct. Senator SHELBY. The next thing would be the risk of release. In other words, it would arouse suspicion if it was released by the White House, maybe? Mr. GEARAN. Yes. Again, Senator Senator SHELBY. Rather than through the investigator? Mr. GEARAN. That's correct, and the purpose of our call was to seek his guidance as to what the appropriate course is for the White House to take. Senator SHELBY. Through the Justice Department? Mr. GEARAN. Through the Deputy Attorney General, correct. Senator SHELBY. He was speaking for himself and, obviously, for the Attorney General? Mr. GEARAN. He was the appropriate person that we were told to deal with when matters involved an investigative nature, Senator SHELBY. Your next thing, would you interpret that, your notes? "There's a sense" Mr. GEARAN. "There's a sense from Park Police, including Phil and Department of Justice and probably the Washington field office, that too much of the investigation in the inquiry before, when and after, was exercised by the White House and those too close to Vince." Then it gets difficult to read. Senator SHELBY. Does it say "suspicion is extremely dangerous"? Is that what your Mr. GEARAN. I think that's what it says, sir. Senator SHELBY. It says "do everything in power to quiet suspicion"? Mr. GEARAN. "To quiet suspicion." Senator SHELBY. In other words, Heymann was giving you good advice-giving the White House good advice, wasn't he? Mr. GEARAN. I think he was making clear his position. Senator SHELBY. Was that advice heeded? Mr. GEARAN. Certainly by the Communications Office. Senator SHELBY. But belatedly? Mr. GEARAN. I'm sorry? Senator SHELBY. It was belatedly heeded, wasn't it? Mr. GEARAN. I certainly heeded his advice. Senator SHELBY. I want to turn to the second page. Mr. Chairman, can I proceed on this? The CHAIRMAN. Yes, in the interest of continuity and time and to keep it flowing, yes. Senator SHELBY. Mr. Gearan, on the second page after it says power to quiet suspicion," Heymann said, it says "cross out" something. What do your notes refer to there? Mr. GEARAN. It seems to say "the complaint," but it's fairly unclear. Senator SHELBY. Sir? Mr. GEARAN, The cross-out, Senator? I believe it says "the complaint," but I'm not certain of that. Senator SHELBY. OK 272 Mr. GEARAN, The next line says "I've had heated discussions on the way the documents were handled with Bernie." Senator SHELBY. This is coming from Philip Heymann, the Deputy Attorney General of the United States, on this occasion, quoting, again, your handwriting, "I've had heated discussions on the way- documents were handled by Bernie Nussbaum." Mr. GEARAN. Correct. Senator SHELBY. Where it says "Janet Reno" is this with Mr. GEARAN, Senator, I don't know if that refers to that sentence or the next three points. Senator SHELBY. Go ahead with the next thing.