Reno: "We are dedicated in this instance to finding the truth, and we are not going to stop until we do" April 19, 1993 The 51-day Waco siege ended when a massive fire destroyed the headquarters of the Branch Davidian religious cult. The bodies of leader David Koresh and some 80 of his followers were found inside. Most died from the fire; a few were killed by gunshot wounds. VIDEO FBI video of conversation stating a tear gas canister bounced off the concrete bunker. Windows Media 28K 80K Watch the FBI surveillance tape from the 1993 Branch Davidian siege Windows Media 28K 80K  ALSO: New Waco tape released MESSAGE BOARD: Waco revisited 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 3, 1999
Web posted at: 11:19 a.m. EDT (1519 GMT)

In this story: Probe details not revealed Danforth reportedly top choice Denies friction with Freeh 'May have been lied to' RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General Janet Reno confirmed Friday that someone outside the FBI and the Justice Department would head an independent investigation into the deadly 1993 assault on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas.

She did not reveal her choice to lead the probe but "hoped to name that person shortly."

During a news conference at the Justice Department, Reno also denied that recent revelations about the conduct of government agents during the Branch Davidian siege had strained her relations with FBI Director Louis Freeh.

This is no time to "play one off against the other," she said.

Reno and Freeh themselves have been under siege since a disclosure last week that federal agents fired potentially flammable tear gas canisters near the main Branch Davidian compound on the final day of the 51-day standoff -- an admission that came after six years of denials.

Reno said the new review is meant to "ensure the American public has confidence and faith in whatever that investigation reveals."

But she declined to go into detail about the scope of the investigation, saying, "I think we've got to let the independent investigator determine what he or she needs to pursue."

Reno said she will find a person who is free of "conflicts of interest and will be well-received" to head an independent investigation.

"What I hope will happen," she said, "is that we will be able to agree on a mandate that gives them full authority to pursue any unanswered question."

Among those reportedly on the attorney general's list to lead the investigation are two former Republican senators, John Danforth of Missouri and Warren Rudman of New Hampshire, as well as former Iran-Contra prosecutor Dan Webb.

Danforth has emerged as the leading candidate, a senior law enforcement official told CNN.

The White House, Freeh and congressional Democrats and Republicans alike have suggested that Reno sidestep her department and the FBI's investigative resources in favor of an independent review.

Last week, the FBI admitted that potentially flammable tear gas canisters were fired at a concrete bunker near the main Davidian compound, a disclosure that prompted an angry Reno to say she'd "get to the bottom" of what happened on April 19, 1993.

On Thursday, the bureau released a videotape on which an FBI commander is heard authorizing the use of the tear gas.

Reno denied the furor surrounding the recent revelations -- and her decision to have U.S. marshals travel to FBI headquarters to take possession of the tape -- had caused a strain between her and Freeh.

"That's just plain wrong," she said.

Despite some disagreements with FBI Director Louis Freeh, Reno says they have a good working relationship

The attorney general said she and Freeh often confer on difficult issues.

"Yeah, sometimes I call him and say, 'Why did you do this?' or he will call and say, 'Why did you do that?' That's the type of relationship we have," she said.

"It's not right, not realistic," Reno said, for her and Freeh to be in constant agreement. "Louis Freeh and I have what I think is one of the best relationships people can have in law enforcement."

Federal officials have insisted that the fire was started by cult leader David Koresh and his followers.

White House spokesman Jake Siewert said Thursday that President Clinton is "deeply concerned that the attorney general appears to have been misled and may have been lied to" about the use of the pyrotechnic canisters.

On Friday, Reno acknowledged that she had been misled about the nature of weapons used on the final day of the siege. But she said all the evidence she has seen supports the view that federal agents did not start the fire.

Reno said: "If the truth shows what I believe to be the case -- that we tried to set up something that would bring the people out and give them a chance to come out in a safe and orderly way -- and that it was their determination and their judgment and their actions that brought that fire upon them, then I would use the experience we have here and figure out what we can do for the future."

Asked whether she would resign, she said, "If the truth shows I've done something wrong, then I will accept the consequences."

In addition to the Reno-ordered probe, congressional hearings will be convened this fall.

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