Authorities having trouble
communicating with Freemen
April 10, 1996
Web posted at: 12:30 a.m. EDTBRUSETT, Montana (CNN) -- Talks between the Freemen and authorities appeared to go slowly Tuesday, and members of the anti-government group told a journalist they have not and do not intend to negotiate with the FBI.
"We are having difficulty sustaining dialogue at this time, having trouble communicating in a meaningful way," said Deputy Montana Attorney General Dennis Taylor. "We're in it for the long haul. There are a variety of third parties trying to sustain dialogues ... but communication is reciprocal and sustaining dialogue is difficult."
"It's not about beliefs. We're not trying to get them to change their beliefs. It's about failure to obey the law. No one's being prosecuted for their views. They are being prosecuted for violating the laws of this state and this nation ... just as others have."
-- Montana Attorney General Joe Mazurek on the Freemen
The Freemen invited a journalist from the pro-gun magazine "Soldier of Fortune" Tuesday to conduct an interview on the ranch where they have been holed up for more than three weeks.
Reporter James Pate spent about an hour Tuesday morning speaking with Freemen members Edwin Stanton and Rodney Skurdal.
When he emerged, Pate said some of the Freemen were wearing firearms and "would like a peaceful resolution to this." But he added that the Freemen seemed to be in little hurry to end the 17-day standoff with the FBI.
"My impression is we're going to be here for a long time," said Pate, the first journalist to interview Freemen deep inside the 960-acre farm since the standoff with federal officials began March 25.
Pate said the Freemen told him they have a direct line to the FBI but that they have not, and don't plan on, using it for negotiations.
Pate was on the property but not in the house. He said that he stayed outside so that the FBI could keep an eye on him and that he was at not afraid for his life.
Pate was turned away from the compound Monday, but when he returned a day later with a transcript of his interview with the Freemen a year ago, he said group members were "friendly" and took him to the ranch in a car.
Pate said the Freemen want a "guarantee of free passage" for one or two of their members to leave the compound and help set up a "common law grand jury" to determine if they have broken any laws. Pate said the Freemen believe they have done nothing illegal.
Montana Attorney General Joe Mazurek said people need to keep talking with one another, but added, "We're not going to build a new justice system to deal with these folks."
Part of the difficulty in talking the Freemen into surrendering, Mazurek said, is that the "real leaders are mostly in jail."
He said the remaining Freemen had been "misled into buying into illegal ideas" and now, "they're standing on strength of conviction: They're right and the whole world is wrong."
Related Stories
- Freemen renounce U.S. government - Apr. 9
- Freemen spend quiet Easter under watchful eye of agents - April 7
- Two people leave Freemen property - April 6
- Signs of progress raise hopes of end to Freemen standoff - April 6
- Officials hopeful after talks with Freemen - April 5
- 'Delicate discussions' take place at Freemen ranch - April 5
- State officials hold talks with Freemen - April 4
- Bail unlikely for Freemen suspect - April 3
- Freemen relative warns against using force - April 2
- Montana Freemen member uncooperative in court - April 1
- Freemen sympathizers to stage rally - April 1
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