Editorial: Inquiry into Waco is welcome

Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999 | 9:34 a.m.

Almost as soon as fire engulfed the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas -- shortly after FBI tanks pumped tear gas into the religious sect's headquarters -- there was speculation that federal law enforcement officials started the fire. Even when Branch Davidian survivors and independent arson investigators later said it was David Koresh and his followers who started the fire that claimed 80 lives on April 19, 1993, some still insisted it was the government's fault.

For six years the FBI and Attorney General Janet Reno, who authorized the raid, denied that any incendiary devices had been used. But it was revealed last week that the FBI in fact had used two heat-generating tear-gas canisters several hours prior to the FBI's assault on the religious sect's compound. Reno, who was visibly angry at a news conference last Thursday about the FBI keeping her in the dark about the use of incendiary devices, announced she would launch a new investigation into what happened.

The fallout from this revelation could damage the credibility of Reno and the FBI. Now that these new facts have emerged, what should be done? Another probe by the FBI would not be taken seriously. FBI Director Louis Freeh believes an outside investigation would be best and apparently Reno is ready to call for an independent probe as well. Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department should be involved in any way with such an investigation.

Meanwhile in the Republican-led Congress, Rep. Dan Burton, the chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, already has begun issuing subpoenas for an investigation. But having the Indiana Republican lead this investigation would be a waste of time, because Burton over the years has shown such a hatred for the Clinton administration that any findings his committee would offer certainly would be suspect.

If Congress indeed proceeds to investigate, a better approach is one that apparently is being considered by Rep. Henry Hyde, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Hyde is contemplating the idea of a joint Senate-House commission that would lessen possible partisanship. Both Republicans and Democrats would name individuals to the commission under this plan, and commissioners wouldn't necessarily be members of Congress.

The key for both the Justice Department and Congress is to allow probes that provide assurances that objective findings will be presented to the public. Subsequent investigations may reveal that the pyrotechnic tear gas canisters played no role in the fire, as the FBI continues to contend, but until a truly independent assessment is made many Americans will continue to harbor doubts about the government's role.