August 4, 1994 - Part 10
August 4, 1994 - Part 10
(20:05:36) And now when we attempt to get from the witness an answer as to yes or no, did he suggest that Mr. Steiner or Mr. Altman find a way to fire or get rid of him, he says I have no recollection. That is an artful way. That's that artful dodging again, an artful dodge. This is my opinion, I understand it's a graceful dodge, but I don't think it's so graceful. I think the American people and others in this Committee really have an understanding of what's going on. This is an attempt to keep from answering a question that anyone, given the circumstances and the import of that whole situation, couldn't help but remember. And not to confuse matters, this Senator is absolutely convinced that the witness is involved, once again, in a graceful dodge that is not too graceful. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator MACK. Mr. Chairman 433 The CHAIRMAN. Just one moment. I've got both Senator Sarbanes asking to speak and Senator MACK. Mr. Chairman--- The CHAIRMAN. I'll come back in a minute but we're going to rotate here and I'll call on you as well. Senator MACK. I just wanted to make a point that there are a lot of us that are waiting here that have not participated. If we don't go back to trying to strictly stay to lie time, those of us who are being The CHAIRMAN. I couldn't agree with you more. Senator MACK. It seems to me if they want to raise that point, when it's their time they ought to raise it. Senator SARBANES. It is our time now. Senator DAmato's time just expired and the time comes to this side. Who is recognized on this Senator KERRY. Before the time comes to our side-[Laughter.] The CHAIRMAN. Just one moment, Senator KE RRY. Excuse me. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Kerry, just a moment please. Senator KERRY. I thought the witness deserved an opportunity to answer. After all Senator MACK. That was a statement. Senator D'AMATO. I didn't ask a question. I made a statement. I did not ask a question. I said this is my opinion. Senator SARBANES. Mr. Chairman, if I may make the point. The CHAIRMAN. Let me just indicate that the witnesses have been at the table for a long time. And they've asked to have a 10minute pause here so they can refresh themselves. I think that's a reasonable request. Mr. STEPHANOPOULOS. May I respond to the Senator. The CHAIRMAN. Once I finish. Senator Sarbanes, you've asked to be recognized but the witnesses have asked if they can have a break here. I want to accommodate that. I think it's reasonable. Senator SARBANES. I want to be-I just want to make the point that a response by a witness that "I do not remember," "I do not recall" is a direct answer to the question. Now, you may not accept that answer if you're the questioner. Others may accept that answer, others may find it creditable that the witness would not recall or would not remember. Senator D'AMATO. My colleague is correct. Senator SARBANES. And the fact that it's not the answer you're seeking I don't think makes it not a response to your question. Senator D'AMATO, Well, that's why I said I found it difficult. Senator SARBANES. Secondly, this line of questioning gives incredible credence to the Steiner diary which I must say to you I have some difficulty in doing. I mean, I think to some extent this is a work of art, so to speak. Senator MACK. But, Mr. Chairman, could I get some time and just- Senator SARBANES. I just want to register those two points with respect to the statements and the line of questioning that we just followed, but I don't--I mean, you may not accept the answer but it is an answer and it is a direct answer. 434 The CHAIRMAN. Well, I've got several Senators seeking recognition on both sides. I've got Senator Kerry, Senator Shelby, Senator Mack. Gentlemen, please. They've asked for a break at this point and I think they deserve one. We're not going to adjourn abruptly here. Everybody is going to have another chance, so whatever anyone wants to raise, they're going to have the opportunity to do so. Senator DOMENICI. On a lighter note, could I just tell you what"' 5 people outside are doing the pooling for television said to me a while ago? I've been joking with them that the longer we're here, the more money they make. And so I said, are you all pooling and" one of them said, I'm pooling for 4:00 a.m. The CHAIRMAN. Well, Committee stands in receMr. STEPHANOPOULOS. Chairman, may I simply respond? The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Stephanopoulos, Ill be happy to call on you when we come back. I don't think the question was presented to you and we'll start this whole thing all over again. Let's take a 10-minute recess. (20:10:27) [Recess.] (20:10:30) Commentary of hearing hosts DON BODE and NINA TOTENBERG from tv studio, they also talk to Senator PETE DOMENICI and Senator RICHARD SHELBY