July 19, 1995 - Part 2
July 19, 1995 - Part 2
(12:25:36) I think I know, because the Senator raised the question yesterday-and I'm going to ask that the time be deducted for this, that we take out this time that subject to connection, I think I know where he's going. He referred to certain documents and calls that went to Mr. Foster's office. If he's pursuing that, if he is, then he'd be perfectly all right in doing it, So let's see where he goes. Senator DODD. I understand what you are saying, Mr. Chairman. There is certainly no desire The CHAIRMAN. I'll be very Senator DODD. There is no desire on anyone's part here The CHAIRMAN. To impede, I understand that. Senator DODD. -to get into it. I don't want to. The CHAIRMAN. We will watch the scope very carefully. I understand the Senator's concerns; I share them, but at this point I'm going to let him continue. Senator DODD. I appreciate that, but I'm just looking for a process question, too, here, in a sense, beyond this. What happens is, obviously, we're in a very public forum here and things get said, and all of a sudden the fact after a decision is made is it's beyond the scope. All of a sudden we've gone into another area. Do you understand what I'm saying? The CHAIRMAN. I will be mindful of that, and if my colleagues send me a note on it or want to raise it publicly, fine, but I III be mindful of it. I'm going to let him continue at this point. Senator DODD. Let me also, Mr. Chairman-let me inquire on the David Hale matter. Have we checked with the Independent Counsel? Is this a matter The CHAIRMAN. We are not going to pursue the matter of David Hale and/or what his involvement is. But certainly as it relates to whether or not there was a communication that may or may not have come from anyone to Vince Foster or-I mean, that would be something that is relevant. I don't know whether the Senator intends to pursue that, but I just use that by way of illustration. it 125 seems to me that that's probably likely. The Senator has never shared with me what questions he's going to raise; let me assure you of that. I'd like to know, but in any event, why don't we proceed, and we'll be mindful of that. Senator SARBANES. Let me Senator FAIRCLOTH. Senator Dodd, let me briefly touch on that. We have filtered the questions with the resolution and if you look at Resolution 120 on page 6, and the paragraph B section 4, it says, "to make such findings of facts as are warranted and appropriate." We have filtered the questions to be appropriate or we wouldn't be asking them. Senator SARBANES. Mr. Chairman, let me make Senator FAIRCLOTH. Appropriate The CHAIRMAN. Now, look. One at a time. Senator Sarbanes. Senator SARBANES. Let me just make this observation on that point. Resolution 120 set out the scope of the inquiry. We've been coordinating with the Independent Counsel as to what aspects are set out in the resolution the Committee could move ahead to examine. The one we, in effect-where they said it would not impede their inquiry was the treatment of the papers in Foster's office. The CHAIRMAN. Correct. Senator SARBANES. The other matters that are listed in the resolution on which hearings can be done, we've not yet reached because we've not yet reached that understanding with the Independent Counsel and those have been deferred over until the fall and further communication between us and the Independent Counsel. So the focus of these hearings is how the papers in Foster's office were handled, and I think it's important to keep the focus there. The other observation The CHAIRMAN. I concur with the Senator there, and that is my intent, to see to it that we stick to the issue. While I will permit certain latitude because- subject to connection if there is a connection that is not part of the criminal investigation as it relates to David Hale-he has pled guilty-I will permit that. For example, was there a contact that was made known by X or Y-that aspect may be outside of the scope but would not preclude ascertaining if there was some kind of connection. If it goes further than that, I will rule it out. Senator SARBANES. The other observation I might The CHAIRMAN. Now, in fairness to the Senator, I think I've set down-and I hope that I have responded in a manner which constitutes the area of governance of this Committee. At this time, I'd like to see that the Senator has his opportunity to proceed.