The release of FBI tapes from the siege of the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, has compounded suspicions of some militia groups VIDEO CNN's Charles Bierbauer looks at how militia groups are reacting to the latest developments in the Waco investigation (September 3). Windows Media 28K 80K

September 3, 1999
Web posted at: 10:03 p.m. EDT (0203 GMT)

From Correspondent Charles Bierbauer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The newly released FBI surveillance tapes of the siege at Waco have handed new ammunition to the militia groups who believed the assault was a government conspiracy to wipe out a nonconformist sect.

"It's a propaganda victory, if you will," said Devin Burghart of the Center for New Community. "They're able to say, 'Look, we were right all along about the situation.' And it fuels their conspiracies about the federal government."

The Web site of the Militia of Montana asks: "What do you want to bet the tactical uplink was being heard other than in the FBI headquarters -- like in the White House situation room?"

The news that the FBI used potentially flammable grenades -- and that some federal agents knew all along it had used them -- sustains the militia belief in other theories, such as that armed helicopters were used in the assault.

"They left with ordnance on board the helicopters, including hellfire missiles," said former militia member Bill Utterback. "And when they came back -- half of their ordinance was expended. Any investigation into Waco needs to look into that."

Experts say the militia movement had been in decline in recent years. Fears about the Y2K bug had replaced Waco.

Now Waco's back on the airwaves and the Web.

According to the Militia of Montana's site:

"I'd like to round up (U.S. Attorney General) Janet Reno, (FBI Director) Louis Freeh (and others) -- shoot a few of them and confine them to a 'compound' for seven weeks."

Reno said she will name an outside investigator to "ensure that the U.S. public has confidence and faith in whatever that investigation reveals." And she promised to get to the truth.

"It is important for all Americans, no matter what their attitude about government, to try to adhere to the law," Reno said. "There are people who disagree violently with me, but they're not violent people."

Militia watchers are not so confident.

"There is always a threat," said Burghart. "You have only to look back to the Oklahoma bombing for a vivid reminder of how real the threat can be."

Experts on the militia movement already see evidence that the militia are using the Waco tapes to send out calls for new meetings and new members.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.