wow, I guess this has been known in cyberspace since last friday. just goes to show you I don't read all the conspiracy newsgroups, eh? :) ===cut=here=== Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns,talk.politics.misc,alt.individualism,alt.activism,misc.legal From: lvc@cbnews.cb.att.com (Larry Cipriani) Subject: BATF GOES FOR COVER-UP OF WACO FIASCO, Organization: Ideology Busters, Inc. Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1993 17:35:28 GMT BATF GOES FOR COVER-UP OF WACO FIASCO, WRITE TO TREASURY NOW TO PROTEST!!! The people who launched the disastrous raid on the Branch Dividian compound in Waco, Texas, have now mounted an attack on the American people's right to know facts behind the tragedy. The Tresury Department is seeking to deny public access to invesitgative reports probing the government's actions leading to the Waco conflagration You have until September 15 to protest against this cover-up. Comments (preferably in triplicate) should be sent to the Dept. of the Tresaury, Office of Enforcemnet, Room 4312, 1500 Pennslyvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20220. WRITE NOW! It has been reported that the Treasury wants to lockup many of the findings of the Waco investigation to "protect investigative techniques and procedures." What they are really doing is hiding the truth from the American people and preventing the people from making an accurate judgment on the BATF actions in Waco. This action is being taken at teh same time critizism of the raid is mounting. The affidavit used to justify the search warrant used in Waco has come under intense criticism, with stories in a number of major papers, the Washington Times the latest (Sept. 2). Experts who have researched the warrant have stated that it never should have been granted because the affidavit did not meet legal requirements. Specifically cited were: a quote attributed to Koresh regarding the LA riots, said to have been spoken three weeks before the riots happened; no probable cause based on information included in the warrant; inaccurate description of the firearms in possession of Koresh; and only technical, if any, violations of firearms laws. As a result of this intense pressure, there has been speculation in the press that Stephen Higgins, BATF Director and other top BATF officials may be forced out. However, to counter the growing outcry, the Treasury is now taking steps to seal away information from the investigation of the tragedy. That is, they are trying to cover it all up. Below is the text of a proposed rule change that would lock up the files of the "Waco Administrative Review Group Investigation", the panel assigned to investigate the assault on the Branch Davidian Compound. This means that Freedom of Information Act requests for information will be denied, and the public will not have access to this information. This is a blatant effort to cover-up the blunders in Waco. It can only be stopped if people cry-out in protest. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Departmental Offices (DEPO) 31 CFR Part 1 Proposed rule: Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Exemption of System of Records From Certain Provisions Contact: Nichole L. Jenkins, 202-622-0450 Comment Date: 09/15/93 (FEDREGISTER 58 FR 43312 08/16/93; 538 lines.) *Proposed Rules* --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Departmental Offices 31 CFR Part 1 Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; Exemption of System of Records From Certain Provisions AGENCY: Departmental Offices, Department of the Treasury. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, Departmental Offices, Office of Enforcement is proposing to exempt a system of records, the Waco Administrative Review Group Investigation (DO/.207) from certain provisions of the Privacy Act. The exemptions are intended to increase the value of the system of records for law enforcement and investigative purposes, to comply with legal prohibitions against the disclosure of certain kinds of information, and to protect the privacy of individuals identified in the system of records. The exemptions are intended to increase the value of the system of records for the factfinding investigation and administrative review performed by the Waco Administrative Review Group so as not to reveal local, state or Federal law enforcement techniques, sources and methods or affect the ability of law enforcement agencies to prosecute people for criminal wrongdoing. DATES: Comments must be received no later than September 15, 1993. ADDRESSES: Comments (preferably in triplicate) must be submitted to the Department of the Treasury, Office of Enforcement, room 4312, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20220. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nichole L. Jenkins, Attorney, Office of the Assistant General Counsel (Administrative & General Law), (202) 622- 0450, room 1410, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20220. Downloaded from GUN-TALK (703-719-6406) A service of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action Washington, DC 20036 -- Larry Cipriani -- l.v.cipriani@att.com or attmail!lcipriani