Top FBI Expert: Reno Should Have Been Fired
NewsMax.com Thursday, May 18, 2000
The FBI�s former top hostage negotiator instructor says that the Miami
raid to seize Elian by federal agents was "unwarranted" and should have
led to firing Attorney General Janet Reno.
"The raid was unwarranted. It violated everything that is taught by the
FBI in handling situations like this," explained Robert K. Ressler.
Ressler served with the FBI for 20 years and in law enforcement for more
than four decades. He is a best-selling author and frequent media
commentator.
Ressler said he has heard through his "grapevine" of bureau contacts
that the FBI opposed the raid and declined to participate after being
invited to do so by Reno.
Ressler�s work for hostage negotiation training has been the FBI�s model
since the 1970s. He has worked with law enforcement in Britain, France,
Germany and other countries worldwide to develop similar programs. He
is also a noted FBI psychological profiler.
"Reno went in with overkill, with a show of force," Ressler said,
believing the raid was meant more to send a message to the
Cuban-American community than to simply gain custody of the child.
"The Cuban-Americans showed great restraint. Considering what the
federal government did, you could have had a disaster with many people
killed."
According to Ressler, in no way could the standoff between the family
and the federal government be considered a hostage situation.
"The federal government and Reno went berserk," he said.
He described how Reno and the Justice Department violated every cardinal
rule in crisis handling:
* Reno didn�t let negotiations run their course.
Negotiations have to be exhausted before the government escalates.
According to impartial mediators, negotiations were continuing. Force
is a last resort. Reno has still not explained what time constraint
demanded risking lives with force.
* Reno�s deception was a dangerous precedent.
Though negotiations were ongoing, Reno deceived the Miami family by
sending in armed agents. Her deceit and failure to negotiate in good
faith will set a dangerous precedent, according to Ressler.
"In the future, if there is a real hostage situation involving
Cuban-Americans in the Miami area, they will not believe the government
during negotiations, and this could lead to disaster. Honesty is the
best policy. You only break your word if there is imminent danger to
someone. I�d really like to see the ATF, FBI, Secret Service handle the
next incident down there successfully."
* Reno used excessive force.
Ressler said the use of more than 130 agents to make the raid means only
one thing: The federal government decided to make a statement to the
community by using a "show of force.� The amount of force had no
relation to the risks involved.
Had he been in charge, he would have followed textbook rules for dealing
with such situations. Ressler said he would have first used minimal
force.
"I would have sent just two marshals, wearing suits, with briefcases,
and maybe with a social worker to collect the child," Ressler said.
If that effort failed or resistance was met, only then should the
government have escalated.
Ressler argued that Reno�s actions could have led to a loss of life.
Ressler called Justice Department claims that some people in and around
the home may have had guns "ludicrous." In America, he said, there are
almost as many guns as people, so that is not a reason for government
officials to abuse their power.
"Her judgment has proven to be so poor time and time again," Ressler
said, wondering how Reno has held on to her job as the country�s top law
enforcement officer.
He noted Reno�s mishandling at Waco that led to the death of 86
civilians, her oversight in the government attempt to frame Richard
Jewell, and the Justice Department�s improper investigation of the Ruby
Ridge case.
"The photo [of the agent seizing the boy at gunpoint] said everything.
It�s amazing to me that this can happen in America, to have civilian
rights trampled on, and for no one in the media or Congress wanting to
hold Reno accountable. It�s very frightening to me," Ressler said.
Ressler added that he would not be surprised if civilians injured during
the unwarranted raid have successful civil suits against the government.
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~~~~~~~~ <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Shalom, A Salaam Aleikum, and to all, A Good Day.
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