FBI surveillance tape with audio of agents discussing the use of potentially flammable tear gas rounds in the final assault on the Branch Davidian compound AIFF or WAV (304 K/27 sec. audio) VIDEO Watch the FBI surveillance tape from the 1993 Branch Davidian siege Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K FBI Surveillance Tape April 19, 1993 Exchange between FBI Hostage Rescue Team supervisor Stephen McGavin and on-scene hostage unit commander Richard Rogers Tape released September 2 McGavin: HR 2 to HR 1. Rogers: Go ahead, It's HR 1. McGavin: Currently resupplying Charlie 1. (Unintelligible) with relative safety utilizing the vehicle for cover and attempt to get (unintelligible) penetrate the construction project. Rogers: You're talking about the block over top the construction? McGavin: Say again, HR 1. Rogers: Are you saying he can penetrate the block covering over the construction on the green side? McGavin: Ten-four. He thinks he can get into position with relative safety utilizing the track for cover and attempt to penetrate it with military rounds. Rogers: Roger. Of course, if there's water underneath that's just going to extinguish them, but you can try it. McGavin: Ten-four. Copy. He can try it? Rogers: Yeah, that's affirmative.

September 2, 1999
Web posted at: 4:06 p.m. EDT (2006 GMT)

(CNN) -- On Thursday, September 2, 1999, the FBI released copies of a portion of a surveillance videotape from April 19, 1993, which contains audio of the FBI Hostage Rescue Team requesting -- and receiving -- approval to fire potentially flammable "military rounds" of tear gas at a concrete bunker near the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas.

The FBI says the tape proves the command to use the military rounds on the day of the Waco fire shows the approval was given on the scene, not at headquarters.

The FBI has admitted that tear gas grenades were fired at a concrete bunker away from the main wooden compound on April 19 -- contradicting prior claims no pyrotechnic devices were used in the final assault.

But FBI officials maintain the Davidians hours later started the fire that swept through the compound. Cult leader David Koresh and some 80 followers -- including 21 children -- died during the inferno, some from gunshot wounds, others from the fire.

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