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July 25, 1995 - Part 1
(10:05:32) Mr. CHERTOFF. So you knew he was at the White House; right? Mr. WATKINS. That was earlier in the evening, yes. Mr. CHERTOFF. You knew there were Secret Service personnel at the White House? Mr. WATKINS. Yes. Mr. CHERTOFF. Did you call anybody at the White House and ask them to go into Mr. Foster's office? Mr. WATKINS. No, I did not. Mr. CHERTOFF. Did you call Mr. Nussbaum or anybody from the White House Counsel's Office and ask them to go into the office? Mr. WATKINS. No. 242 Mr. CHERTOFF. The only person you asked to go in was Patsy Thomasson? Mr. WATKINS. That's correct. Mr. CHERTOFF. Who you knew was riot at the White House, but at a restaurant? Mr. WATKINS. That's correct, Mr. CHERTOFF. Did you discuss with Patsy Thomasson how she was going to get into Mr. Foster's office? Mr. WATKINS, I did not. Mr. CHERTOFF. You knew she was not someone who regularly occupied the office; right? Mr. WATKINS. I knew that she was not an occupant of the office, that's correct. Mr. CHERTOFF. She has a different office? Mr. WATKINS. That's correct. Mr. CHERTOFF. Does she have a key to all the offices? Mr. WATKINS. No, sir. Mr. CHERTOFF. Do you know whether she has the authority to enter the White House Counsel's Office at will? Mr. WATKINS. I don't know if she has the authority, but she was someone that was engaged in taking care of the Offices, moving furniture, changing personnel from office to office, so she had a general access to all the offices in the White House. Mr. CHERTOFF. Ms. Mathews, if I can turn to you for a moment, do you remember where you were that evening when you learned about what had happened to Mr. Foster? Ms. MATHEWS. I was in the residence of the White House. Mr. CHERTOFF. Was that for a taping of a Larry King interview? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, sir, Mr. CHERTOFF. Where did you go after you had learned that Mr. Foster had been discovered? Ms. MATHEWS. I went to the--I'm sorry, had been discovered? Mr. CHERTOFF. Yes. Ms. MATHEWS. I went to the secretarial suite, of the Chief of Staff 's Off- ice. Mr. CHERTOFF. Why did you do that? MS. MATHEWS. To answer phones. Mr. CHERTOFF. Was that a decision you made? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, sir, it was. Mr. CHERTOFF. Do you remember approximately when you left the residence to go over to the Chief of Staffs suite? Ms. MATHEWS. I don't remember the exact time. The majority-- I'm not sure if the Larry King show had ended, but I know I had, watched the majority of it. Mr. CHERTOFF. You left before it was actually concluded? Ms. MATHEWS. I don't remember whether it was actually concluded or not. Mr. CHERTOFF. How long did you spend in the Chief of Staff's suite? MS. MATHEWS. For the entire evening-I was there most evening until I left that night. Mr. CHERTOFF. Did you stay there continuously or was there a point when you went back to the residence? 243 MS. MATHEWS. There was a point at which I went back to the residence. Mr. CHERTOFF. Why did you do that? Ms. MATHEWS. In answering the phones, there was a message that came in that I thought should be delivered over to the residence. Mr. CHERTOFF. Now, during the course of the time you were at the Chief of Staffs Office, did you have occasion to go to your own office? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes. At one point in the evening-I actually don't have an office, and did not at that time. I have a space outside of the person I worked for's office and I did go there, yes, sir. Mr. CHERTOFF. Where is that located? Ms. MATHEWS. It is located on the second floor of the West Wing. Mr. CHERTOFF. Do you remember approximately when you went up to your own space? Ms. MATHEWS. I'm sorry, I don't remember specific times. I remember sequences, but not specific times. Mr. CHERTOFF. Do you remember if it was sometime before 10.45 P.M.? Ms. MATHEWS. I think that it was sometime between 10 and 10:45, yes, Sir. Mr. CHERTOFF. In that three-quarters of an hour period? Ms. MATHEWS. In that range, yes. Mr. CHERTOFF. Do you remember, as you walked up to your space, looking into the White House Counsel's Office? Ms. MATHEWS. The suite is all that you can see. It is a suite, and the secretarial office is-as I walked by, I saw the secretarial office. Mr. CHERTOFF. Was it open or closed? Ms. MATHEWS. It was open. Mr. CHERTOFF. Was anybody in it? MS. MATHEWS. I didn't hear or see anyone. Mr. CHERTOFF. Were the lights on or off? Ms. MATHEWS, I don't recall whether the lights were on or off. Mr. CHERTOFF. Now, how long did you spend up in your own work area on the second floor? MS. MATHEWS. Under 5 minutes. Mr. CHERTOFF. Then did you return to the Chief of Staffs Office? Ms. MATHEWS. The secretarial suite, yes, Sir. Mr. CHERTOFF. Again, that would be the secretarial area in the middle of the suite off of which the Chief of Staffs personal office is located? MS. MATHEWS. That's correct, the area between Mr. McLarty's office and, at that time, Mr. Roy Neel's office. Mr. CHERTOFF. You sat at one of the desks? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes. Mr. CHERTOFF. Were there other people there at this time? Ms. MATHEWS. When I returned from coming from my area? Mr. CHERTOFF. Right. Ms. MATHEWS. No. Mr. CHERTOFF. At any point during the period of time when you were in the Chief of Staff 's suite, were there other people in the suite? Ms. MATHEWS. In the evening, during the evening? 244 Mr. CHERTOFF. Yes. MS. MATHEWS. Yes, Sir. Mr. CHERTOFF. Do you remember approximately when that Was? MS. MATHEWS. I don't remember the time, but people came in throughout the evening. Mr. CHERTOFF. Was Mr. Burton there? MS. MATHEWS. Yes, Sir. Mr. CHERTOFF. Can you tell us what Mr. Burton's position was at that time in the White House?
Sports: Wimbledon, All-England Tennis.
Dick Savitt of Orange, N.J., wins the finals of the all-England tourney, defeating Australia's Ken MacGregor in straight sets, six-four all the way. Savitt's brilliant victory bolsters U.S. hopes for Davis Cup come-back. VS of the match. Match point: Savitt yells and throws his racket in celebration. The Duchess of Kent (?) presents the trophy. Establishing shot - Ken MacGregor and Dick Savitt walking together to the tennis courts. High Angle Shot - The lanky Australian, Ken MacGregor serves the ball and it is hit back by the American Dick Savitt of Orange, New Jersey. MS - Dick Savitt serving the ball to Ken MacGregor. MS - Dick Savitt of New Jersey serves the ball back to Ken MacGregor back handed and Ken could not pick up that ball. Low Angle Shot - The Duchess of Kent award's the Wimbledon Loving Cup to the American from New Jersey.
Cease-Fire: U.N. Envoys Arrive At Korea Truce Parleys
Late film just in from Korea shows United Nations envoys beginning the historic meeting at Kaesong with Communist truce officers. Snag over newsmen who were barred by the Reds delays continuing truce conclave, but U.N. officials appear hopeful of an early ceasefire. Sign pointing toward Kaesong. Gen. Matthew Ridgway and others walk toward and pose by helicopter. Some of the men (American and Korean) climb aboard and the chopper takes off. Air to air helicopter over Korean countryside. Chopper lands. The men disembark and are greeted by three Koreans, including what the VO calls "a mystery woman". Brief shot of indoor meeting. Group of journalists (?). Man, perhaps a war correspondent/reporter, types on machine that's sitting on the hood of a jeep. Establishing shot - Kaesong a soldier standing guard at the foot of a bridge. MS - UN Commander, Mathew Ridgway and other higher ranking officers, they stop and pose for a picture in front of a helicopter. MS - Military men stand around the helicopter as it takes off. General Ridgway bids them God Speed on their mission of peace. MS - The American and the Red Negotiators meet, there is a mystery woman among the Red side. MS - Helicopter landing. Military men running up to meet the American Negotiators. MS - Restricted Area Authorized Personnel Only (Sign)
Shrine Parade. 100,000 Nobles Strut in Gotham Convention.
The big town extends its biggest welcome to 100,000 visiting nobles of the Shrine, here for their annual get-together. Thousands turn out to greet the visitors and to enjoy their precision marching, plus their amusing antics, in colorful parade. Shiners march. CU Arab (?) man playing flute-type instrument. Little girl (African American) watches the parade and claps. Silly stunt with spinning car; a few unusual floats. Man dressed as sword-wielding Arab pretends to threaten newsreel cameraman. Establishing shot - The Shriners Parade walking down the street's of New York. MS - A large sign carried in the parade, "Moslem Detroit". MS - 'Sign /Banner' Brooklyn, New York, Kismet Temple.' MS - 'Sign' - Luxor, Saint John, N.B Canada. MS - A Shriner from Karnah Temple standing in an open convertible waving to the crowd.. CU - A Shriner playing the recorder marching in the parade. MS - The Shriners driving their wacky car in the parade. CU - 'Sign' El Hasa, Ashland Ky. "coming" round the mountain" - two Shriners dressed up as moon shiners. Their car stops, Graney at the wheel, steam shoots out of the radiator. CU - A big base drum "Moolah Temple Band, St. Louis MO. CU - A huge bean pot. ALeppo, Boston. MS - A little Ferris Wheel, Ya Raab Yaarab. CU - Man dressed up a desert Arab with a saber in his hand. High Angle Shot - The Shriner Parade.
Baseball: National League Homers Win All-Star Classic.
Briggs Stadium and highlights of the 1951 All-Star baseball classic, with National League home runs providing the edge in the 18th revival of the mid-season thriller. Homers by Musial, Elliott, Kiner and Hodges give the Nat. League an 8-3 victory, the second straight win for the underdogs. Ext. Briggs Stadium, auto traffic fg. Eddie Sawyer (?) and Casey Stengel (?) shake hands. VS players before game, including Dom DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Ned Garver, Robin Roberts. Ty Cobb in stands; Cobb tosses first ball from the stands onto field. Ferris Fein. VS (high angle) game in progress, including steals, hits, kind of funny run where guy misses home plate and scoots his way back to tag it. Fans scramble to get home run balls. Exterior of Briggs Stadium, Detroit. CU - Eddie Sawyer, Phillies shaking hands with Casey Stengel, New York Yankees. CUS - Stan Musical and Pacard. CU - Dom DiMaggio swinging a bat. CU - Jackie Robinson holding a bat. CU - Starting Pitchers Ned Garver, Browns and Robin Roberts of the Phillies shaking hands. CU - A Senior at the time Ty Cobb, he tosses out the first ball. High Angle Shots - Dark ? of the Giants at the pitchers mound pitches and Richie Ashburn hits the ball and runs, he's safe on third base. High Angle Shot - Ned Garver pitches to Gil Hodges (Nat League) the ball is hit and Richie Ashburn scores a homerun and gets an early lead for the American League. CU - Ferris Fain at bat (AL) and Yogi Berra runs home to tie up the game. High Angle Shot - Ed Lopat pitching and Stan Musial swings, hits and runs <> homerun. High Angle Shot - Ed Lopat pitches and is tagged by Bob Elliott of the Braves, Gil Hodges runs and scores a homerun and Bob Elliott runs and he also scores a homerun. National League All Stars are out in front 4 to 1. The National League All Stars are out there 4 to 1. The National League end up winning against the National League 8 to 3.
July 25, 1995 - Part 1
(10:10:43) MS. MATHEWS. I'm not certain of the specific title, but it was Chief of Staff to the Chief of Staff, Mr. CHERTOFF. So the Chief of Staffs suite was an area that he generally did his work in? MS. MATHEWS. I'm not exactly sure where Bill Burton's desk was, but he was in that area when he would do things. Mr. CHERTOFF. Were you present for telephone conversations in which you heard Mr. Burton's part of the conversation? Ms. MATHEWS. Only one that I recall. Mr. CHERTOFF. Do you remember who the caller was from anything that you heard Mr. Burton say during the course of the conversation? Ms. MATHEWS. I recall that the call was from the Park Police, but I'm not certain whether that's because I answered the phone call or because I understood it from the conversation. Mr. CHERTOFF. Did you hear Mr. Bur-ton's side of the conversation? MS, MATHEWS. Yes, Sir. Mr. CHERTOFF. Were you there after Mr. Burton had hung up and had conversation with other people? MS. MATHEWS. Yes. Mr. CHERTOFF. You have a recollection of that conversation? MS. MATHEWS. I do. Mr. CHERTOFF. Can you tell us generally what you recall of that conversation? MS. MATHEWS. I recall two things: One, that Bill Burton suggested that the office of Vincent Foster be locked; and two, we had a discussion about the trash. Mr. CHERTOFF. Let me just focus on the first part of that. When you say Mr. Burton suggested that Mr. Foster's office be locked, was that a subject he discussed with the Park Policeman on the telephone? Ms. MATHEWS. I don't recall whether that was discussed. Mr. CHERTOFF. Do you remember that, after the telephone call was concluded, he made that statement? Ms. MATHEWS. It was around the same time temporally, yes. Mr. CHERTOFF. Was it your understanding he made that request or suggestion as a consequence of the telephone call? MS. MATHEWS. I didn't understand cause and effect there, no. Mr. CHERTOFF. I think at this point, Mr. Chairman, I would Yield the balance of my time back and I think Senator Grams had some-. thing. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Faircloth. senator FAIRCLOTH. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 245 Ms. Mathews, at the time of Mr. Foster's suicide, you were Robert Rubin's aide at the White House? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Ms. Mathews, you testified in your deposition that after you learned of Vince Foster's death, you went to check to see if the trash had been taken from Mr. Foster's office. Did you, in fact, locate and preserve the trash bag from Vince Foster's office? Ms. MATHEWS. The trash and the burn bag are two separate issues and I think it's important to make sure we distinguish between-they're different in time and procedure. I did preserve the trash. Senator FAIRCLOTH. You were able to see if there was any evidence or any information that might be relevant to Mr. Foster's death in the trash, You preserved the trash that possibly could contain evidence? Ms. MATHEWS. I preserved the trash. Senator FAIRCLOTH, In addition to the trash, are there any special bags for classified documents in the White House that are referred to as burn bags? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, sir, there are burn bags in the White House. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Were you able to locate the burn bag from Mr. Foster's office? Ms. MATHEWS. No, sir, in the sense that the burn bags are emptied on a daily basis. Therefore, the only thing I identified was a commingled bag. Senator FAIRCLOTH. A commingled bag? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Foster's office didn't have a burn bag in it? Ms. MATHEWS. I learned that after I had gotten the burn bag, the commingled burn bag. Senator FAIRCLOTH. In Mr. Foster's office you commingled the trash in the burn bag? Ms. MATHEWS. There is a process in the White House that occurs on a regular basis every evening where the uniformed division of the Secret Service comes and empties the individual burn bags into one larger bag, and that larger bag is commingled, So that is what I am referring to.
Sports: Spain, Folding of The Bulls.
Sports: Spain, Folding of The Bulls It's a wild melee when young bloods of town chase wild bulls through the streets, and are chased (and knocked down) in turn. It's an annual event that takes an amusing turn when the scramble winds up at the local bull ring. St. Fermin. Running of the bulls. Some of the bulls and some of the people slip and fall (apparently the ground is slick); a few people pile up and are almost trampled (by animals and humans).
Truman: President Inspects Midwest Flood Area.
Truman: President Inspects Midwest Flood Area. Flying in his plane 'The Independence', Pres. Truman gets a first-hand look at the terrible flood damage in the Midwest. Having already signed a $25,000,000 flood rehabilitation bill, Mr. Truman knows that relief is on its way to cities, farms and industrial areas hard hit by the rampaging flood waters-worst in the area's history. Air to air plane flying over flooded land. Interiors plane, Truman and aides look out window. VS flood damage, destroyed buildings, wrecked cars, etc. Men work to clean up; in other areas sandbagging is in progress as they anticipate flooding.
News in Brief: New King In Belgium.
News in Brief: New King In Belgium. Scenes of royal pageantry unfold for the abdication of King Leopold, and the coronation of his son, Prince Baudouin, as new leader of the Belgians. Colorful scenes of triumphal parade to Parliament, where the 20-year-old monarch takes the oath. Nice shot of crowd cheering and waving. The new king speaks before assembly in French (nat sound). Someone shouts "Vive le roi!" - Long live the king.
July 25, 1995 - Part 1
(10:15:33) Senator FAIRCLOTH. All right. Now, at the time of the discovery of Mr. Foster's death, had his burn bag been emptied? Ms. MATHEWS. At the time in the evening-the Secret Service reported that when I went to seek the burn bag, that they had done their round of emptying. The CHAIRMAN. Can I ask you, just for a moment, about what time was this when you made the inquiries about the garbage and the burn bag? Ms. MATHEWS. Mr. Chairman, I apologize. I can remember sequences but not time within the evening. Sorry. The CHAIRMAN. OK. Senator FAIRCLOTH, You were trying to preserve what you thought was Foster's burn bag? Ms. MATHEWS. Until I learned that he did not have a burn bag in his office. 246 Senator FAIRCLOTH. Why couldn't the burn bag have been secured and kept in a safe place for someone with proper clearance to review at a later time instead of destroying it? In other words did you question Mr. Nussbaum's decision to have the bag destroyed? Ms. MATHEWS. When he advised me that there was no burn bag in Vincent Foster's office, and there were concerns that it was a commingled bag containing all the information from the West Wing, I implemented what he asked me to do. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Nussbaum asked you to destroy it? Ms. MATHEWS. He said to process it as you normally do. Senator FAIRCLOTH. In other words, burn it? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, Sir. I don't know exactly how the Secret Service does it, but The CHAIRMAN. Senator, could we ask one question? Mr. CHERTOFF. I just had a question because of something you just said. Is it correct that the way you learned or the way you came to believe that there was no burn bag in Mr. Foster's personal office was because of what Mr. Nussbaum told you? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. Mr. CHERTOFF. So you relied upon what Mr. Nussbaum told you in terms of your understanding of whether, in fact, there ever was a burn bag in Mr. Foster's office? MS. MATHEWS. Yes, sir. Mr. CHERTOFF. Thank you. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Watkins, you testified earlier that Federal Judge Richard Arnold called you to recommend Patsy Thomasson for a job. Did you discuss the hiring of Patsy Thomasson with either the President or Mrs, Clinton or did you get any recommendations or anything from them in regard to her hiring? This is important. Mr. WATKINS. As I recall, I mentioned it to Bruce Lindsey. Senator FAIRCLOTH. You mentioned it to whom? Mr. WATKINS. To Bruce Lindsey, that I was considering hiring Patsy Thomasson to be my Deputy. Bruce said let me think about it, and then he got back with me and said he thought it was fine to offer her the position. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Does that mean that lie discussed it with the President and Mrs. Clinton? Mr. WATKINS. He may have. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Watkins, you were a lifelong friend of the President, as you testified. You served as political advisor to Mr. Clinton since 1981; is that right? Mr. WATKINS. No, sir. I served since-yes, 1981. Before the 1982 election, I was involved in all his gubernatorial campaigns as a media person, media advisor. Senator FAIRCLOTH. You were Deputy Campaign Manager in his campaign for President? Mr. WATKINS. Yes, sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Did you serve as the Assistant to the President for Management and Administration in the White House lip until May 1994? Mr. WATKINS. Until June 1994 Senator FAIRCLOTH. June 1994? 247 Mr. WATKINS. --Senator, Senator FAIRCLOTH. The purpose of this question is not to be of embarrassment, but to establish a later fact, You did resign your position after the overly publicized helicopter incident? Mr. WATKINS. Overly publicized is the key word there, Senator. Yes, sir, I did. Senator FAIRCLOTH. I figured that it was. All right. Even though you left the White House because of this incident, didn't you go to the Clinton/Gore campaign payroll, go to work with the Clinton/ Gore campaign? Mr. WATKINS. Subsequent to that, yes, sir, some 2 months after that, I believe, Let me clarify that, though, Senator. Not on the campaign payroll-I mean, not working directly for the campaign. I was a consultant to them on the FEC audits.
July 25, 1995 - Part 1
(10:20:41) Senator FAIRCLOTH. But you worked for the Clinton/Gore campaign group? Mr. WATKINS. Yes, sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. You stayed on the payroll. Mr. Watkins, Cheryl Braun of the Park Police has testified she clearly remembers directing you to seal Mr. Foster's office shortly before her departure from the Foster home the evening of July 20, 1993. Do you recall her asking you to seal Mr. Foster's office? Mr. WATKINS. Senator, just like Detective Rolla, her partner, I do not recall her making such a request. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Did you ever discuss with the President the search of The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Watkins, let me-and this is the first time I said it. Detective Rolla did not say that. He said he did not hear her make that request, so I think we don't want to characterize it. Mr. WATKINS. All right, Mr. Chairman. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Did you ever discuss with the President the search of Mr. Foster's office or the Park Police's instructions to seal? Have you ever discussed this with the President? Mr. WATKINS. I did not. Senator FAIRCLOTH. You never have? Mr. WATKINS. No, sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH, When Officers Braun and Rolla were at the Foster home that evening, did you at any time tell them that you had instructed someone who worked for you, Patsy Thomasson, to search Vince Foster's office at the White House? In other words, did you tell the Park Police that you had already gotten on with the search? Mr. WATKINS. I did not. Senator FAIRCLOTH. So, when they told you to seal it, you had already- the seal was already gone. You called Patsy Thomasson to go search it? Mr. WATKINS. As I indicated earlier, Senator, I do not recall Investigator Braun asking me to seal it. Senator FAIRCLOTH. But if they had asked, it was too late. You already told Patsy Thomasson-reached her at a restaurant and told her to go search -it? Mr, WATKINS, I cannot recall. Assuming the time-by the time I talked with Ms. Thomasson, if Officer Braun and Off-leer Rolla were still at the residence-I don't recall. 248 Senator FAIRCLOTH. At the time you told this lady to go search this office under these very stringent conditions that existed, were you aware that she had not received clearance from the FBI? Mr. WATKINS. I do not know if-I do not recall knowing at that time that she did not have her security clearance, no, Sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. You didn't know she had Mr. WATKINS. I don't have any confidence that I knew at that time. There were several-because of the process of getting security clearances and the fact that there were many at the White House in mid-summer 1993 that had not completed their security process, but I'm not-I do not know-I do not recall whether I knew at the time that Ms. Thomasson was one of those. Senator FAIRCLOTH. There might have been a number of people who didn't have their clearance, but Ms. Thomasson was not one of a thousand. She was one of two. She was high up in the hierarchy. It looks like it would have gotten to her first and not taken 7 months to clear her unless there was a reason. Mr. WATKINS. I don't think that's correct, Sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Sarbanes. Senator SARBANES. Mr. Ben-Veniste. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Senator Sarbanes. Good morning, panel. Mr. WATKINS. Good morning. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. I'd like to start first with Mr. Watkins. Could you describe briefly the scene at the Foster home starting from when you arrived that evening of July 20, 1993? Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Ben-Veniste, it was a scene of sadness, extreme grief. People were everyone was wondering why, why would Vince have done this, a lot of emotion, the family was distraught. Everyone that knew Vince was distraught. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Can you describe the sequence, to the best of your ability, of who came to the home that evening? Mr. WATKINS. When I arrived with the officers from the Park Police, Ms. Braun and Mr. Rolla, my wife came in her car right behind us and, just as we arrived, Sharon Bowman, a sister of Mr. Foster, Sheila Anthony, another sister, and Webb Hubbell arrived.
News in Brief: 'Bright Victory' Premiere.
News in Brief: 'Bright Victory' Premiere. Gala scenes in filmdom as thousands turn out to see the stars at premiere of U-I's great new bid for academy honors, 'Bright Victory.' Marquee. Celebrities (their backs to camera so can't tell too quickly who they are) sign autographs for fans. Peggy Dow (?), Arthur Kennedy (?), John Hudson (?), Julia Adams (?), Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh all pose at a microphone. Ann Blythe (?) signing autographs. Others mentioned in the VO are Jeff Chandler, Donald O'Connor, Stephen McNally, Lori Nelson. Klieg lights.
News in Brief: Spain, Admiral Dies On Mission.
News in Brief: Spain, Admiral Dies On Mission. Here are late films of Admiral Forrest Sherman, U.S. Navy's Chief of Staff, who died in Italy shortly after reaching accord with Franco on greater military liaison between Spain and the U.S. Scenes of Sherman and his wife at event in Spain.
July 25, 1995 - Part 1
(10:25:47) Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Then what occurred? Mr. WATKINS. The officers notified Lisa that Vince had shot himself and there were cries of anguish and everyone was trying to comfort the family and comfort those that were there. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Were there children in the home? Mr. WATKINS. There were. Laura Foster answered the door, his daughter. Mr, BEN-VENISTE. Then what ensued? Mr. WATKINS. There were a lot of calls from people. There were people trying to notify their family members-just really people in disbelief and trying to comfort each other. It was a time of-an unbelievably emotional time. Everyone was upset. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did there come a time when President Clinton arrived? Mr. WATKINS, Yes, Sir. 249 Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Were others in President Clinton's party when he arrived? Mr. WATKINS. Mr. McLarty came with the President. I know that. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Could you describe the Foster home, was it a large dwelling? Mr. WATKINS. No, it was a very modest home and pretty crowded at that time. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. At some point, you've indicated the question was repeated why, why did Mr. Foster do this. You learned that no note had been found at the scene of Mr. Foster's suicide at Fort Marcy Park? Mr. WATKINS. Yes, sir. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. You learned that no note had been discovered in any obvious place in the home? Mr. WATKINS. Right. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Then you contacted Patsy Thomasson to see whether a note could be located in Mr. Foster's office? Mr. WATKINS. As I recall, my best recollection, Mr. Ben-Veniste, is that I beeped Patsy to notify her of the death. She was my Deputy. She knew Vince. She was from Arkansas, and 1 just wanted to notify her. By the time she called me back and had gotten back to me, there had been a general discussion about notes. We knew there had not been one found at the home and I asked her to go look for a note. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Basically, she was the first person you spoke to from the outside after this conversation in the home had occurred? Mr. WATKINS. About the note, yes. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. On this point of White House clearances, is it your understanding that there were a number of people whose clearances had not been processed in a timely way as of July 1993, 7 months into the Administration? Mr. WATKINS. Yes, sir. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Was Ms. Thomasson one of those? Mr. WATKINS, She was. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Was there any substantive reason why Ms. Thomasson's clearance had not been processed up to that point? Mr. WATKINS. No. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. In other words, was there any problem that people were investigating, to the best of your knowledge? Mr. WATKINS. To the best of my knowledge, no. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. To the best of your knowledge, was the delay anything other than a delay in processing the paperwork? Mr. WATKINS. No. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Now, let's continue. You're on the phone with Ms. Thomasson, and what did you ask her-what did she say to you and what did you say to her? Mr. WATKINS. She was shocked also, and I said we were wondering if there might be a note in Vince's office, would you go look for one? That's what I asked her. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did she say? Mr. WATKINS. She said yes, I will. 250 Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did you learn that she had been in a restaurant in Georgetown about 10 minutes from the White House? Mr. WATKINS. As 1 said, I don't recall what restaurant or where I-I think she told me she was in a restaurant, yes, Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Then, at some point later that evening did Ms. Thomasson report back to you? Mr. WATKINS. She did, Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Can you estimate how long it was between the": time you first contacted her and the time that she reported back to you that she gave you her report? Mr. WATKINS. I think 45 minutes to an hour within an hour. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. The report was? Mr. WATKINS. That she had not found a note. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did she indicate anything else that she had seen at (10:30:49)(tape #10120 ends)
July 25, 1995 - Part 2
(10:25:13)(tape #10121 begins) of who came to the home that evening? Mr. WATKINS. When I arrived with the officers from the Park Police, Ms. Braun and Mr. Rolla, my wife came in her car right behind us and, just as we arrived, Sharon Bowman, a sister of Mr. Foster, Sheila Anthony, another sister, and Webb Hubbell arrived. (10:25:47) Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Then what occurred? Mr. WATKINS. The officers notified Lisa that Vince had shot himself and there were cries of anguish and everyone was trying to comfort the family and comfort those that were there. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Were there children in the home? Mr. WATKINS. There were. Laura Foster answered the door, his daughter. Mr, BEN-VENISTE. Then what ensued? Mr. WATKINS. There were a lot of calls from people. There were people trying to notify their family members-just really people in disbelief and trying to comfort each other. It was a time of-an unbelievably emotional time. Everyone was upset. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did there come a time when President Clinton arrived? Mr. WATKINS, Yes, Sir. 249 Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Were others in President Clinton's party when he arrived? Mr. WATKINS. Mr. McLarty came with the President. I know that. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Could you describe the Foster home, was it a large dwelling? Mr. WATKINS. No, it was a very modest home and pretty crowded at that time. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. At some point, you've indicated the question was repeated why, why did Mr. Foster do this. You learned that no note had been found at the scene of Mr. Foster's suicide at Fort Marcy Park? Mr. WATKINS. Yes, sir. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. You learned that no note had been discovered in any obvious place in the home? Mr. WATKINS. Right. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Then you contacted Patsy Thomasson to see whether a note could be located in Mr. Foster's office? Mr. WATKINS. As I recall, my best recollection, Mr. Ben-Veniste, is that I beeped Patsy to notify her of the death. She was my Deputy. She knew Vince. She was from Arkansas, and 1 just wanted to notify her. By the time she called me back and had gotten back to me, there had been a general discussion about notes. We knew there had not been one found at the home and I asked her to go look for a note. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Basically, she was the first person you spoke to from the outside after this conversation in the home had occurred? Mr. WATKINS. About the note, yes. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. On this point of White House clearances, is it your understanding that there were a number of people whose clearances had not been processed in a timely way as of July 1993, 7 months into the Administration? Mr. WATKINS. Yes, sir. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Was Ms. Thomasson one of those? Mr. WATKINS, She was. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Was there any substantive reason why Ms. Thomasson's clearance had not been processed up to that point? Mr. WATKINS. No. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. In other words, was there any problem that people were investigating, to the best of your knowledge? Mr. WATKINS. To the best of my knowledge, no. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. To the best of your knowledge, was the delay anything other than a delay in processing the paperwork? Mr. WATKINS. No. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Now, let's continue. You're on the phone with Ms. Thomasson, and what did you ask her-what did she say to you and what did you say to her? Mr. WATKINS. She was shocked also, and I said we were wondering if there might be a note in Vince's office, would you go look for one? That's what I asked her. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did she say? Mr. WATKINS. She said yes, I will. 250 Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did you learn that she had been in a restaurant in Georgetown about 10 minutes from the White House? Mr. WATKINS. As 1 said, I don't recall what restaurant or where I-I think she told me she was in a restaurant, yes, Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Then, at some point later that evening did Ms. Thomasson report back to you? Mr. WATKINS. She did, Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Can you estimate how long it was between the": time you first contacted her and the time that she reported back to you that she gave you her report? Mr. WATKINS. I think 45 minutes to an hour within an hour. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. The report was? Mr. WATKINS. That she had not found a note. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did she indicate anything else that she had seen at
News in Brief: MacArthur In Boston.
News in Brief: Macarthur In Boston. Scenes reminiscent of his triumphant visit to other U.S. cities unfold in Boston, with hundreds of thousands on hand to cheer Gen. Douglas Macarthur as he arrives for State House address. Boston does its best impersonation of a tickertape parade, with Mac riding in an open car and lots of paper falling from the sky. Nice traveling shots past the waving crowds.
July 25, 1995 - Part 2
(10:35:16) Mr. BEN-VENISTE, We know that the White House Counsel's Office- because we have the electronic records of the opening of that office, when the cleaners came in to remove the trash was at approximately 10:36. So you're operating at the beginning of the sequence at 10:36 when you could have possibly seen-I'm sorry, 10:42 when you could possibly have seen the office open. If you accept that the off-ice was not open, according to the electronic records, until 10:42, your trip upstairs to get your papers could not have occurred before 10:42; is that correct? Ms. MATHEWS. The door was open when I went upstairs, yes. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. So you get your papers, you come back downstairs and some time goes by and there's a conversation about whether the office ought to be locked and then you go to look for the trash; correct? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. That's the sequence. Now, again, with respect to the trash, is it correct that no one from the Park Police or any other investigative agency made the suggestion to you or those with you that you ought to go and look for the trash? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. It was not Mr. BEN-VENISTE. It was something which had occurred to you and which the people with whom you were talking agreed would be a good idea, let's go and see whether we can preserve evidence; correct? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. 252 Mr. BEN-VENISTE. So now you go upstairs again, and you talk to' the GSA cleaning people; correct? MS. MATHEWS. I spoke with the GSA-the cleaning ladies, and I think I did that, though, on the-what's the first floor? Mr. BEN-VENISTE. On the first floor? Ms. MATHEWS. It's the basement., the first floor, the second floor, so the first floor. Mr, BEN-VENISTE. The Counsel's Office is on the second floor? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. You were one floor below? MS. MATHEWS. When I first spoke with the cleaning ladies, Mr. BEN-VENISTE, OR Now, when you saw them, let me ask you, were they in the presence of a uniformed Secret Service officer? Ms. MATHEWS. I don't recall seeing one with them. Mr. BEN-VENISTE, Now, you established in your conversation with them that they had already picked up the trash from the second floor offices? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. They directed you to where they had accumulated the individual trash bags from each wastepaper basket and accumulated them in larger receptacles; correct? Ms. MATHEWS. Larger trash bags, yes, Mr. BEN-VENISTE. You were able to go through the larger trash bags to identify Mr. Foster's trash bag? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct, I found his smaller trash bag. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. How did you do that, Ms. Mathews? How did you identify his trash bag? Ms. MATHEWS. The smaller trash bags were separate, so when I opened the trash bags, I found one that had buck slips, which are stickers that are used to circulate documents, and they had Vincent Foster's name on them. Additionally, I saw other things with his name on it, and assumed that that was his trash. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did you find credit card slips? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, sir, I did. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. So it was quite clear to you that you had identified the trash receptacle that had come from Mr. Foster's office that evening? MS. MATHEWS. Yes, sir. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Then what did you do with that receptacle? Ms. MATHEWS. I took it downstairs to the secretarial area of the Chief of Staff's Office. I took the bag downstairs. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did you do with it? MS. MATHEWS. I consulted with senior staff who were around and asked should we examine the contents and was told-I don't remember the exact words or who said what-but generally encour aged to go ahead and look through the trash. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. And you did so. Did you find any suicide or evidence reflecting Mr. Foster's state of mind? Ms. MATHEWS. No, sir, I didn't find anything that indicated thing about that. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did you report that fact to anyone? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, I did, to those that were there. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Whom do you recall advising? 253 Ms. MATHEWS. At that particular time, I don't recall exactly who was around, senior staff were in and out of that off-lee throughout the evening. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did you do with the receptacle after you had searched through it? MS. MATHEWS. I put everything back in the plastic bag with one exception, and that was a creamer that still had cream, so I threw that away, and put everything back in the bag.
Korea: UN Launches Attack on Vital Red Stronghold
Korea: UN Launches Attack on Vital Red Stronghold Front-line action filmed by daring newsreel cameramen along the flaming east central front. South Korean and U.S. divisions attack entrenched communists in hilltop positions, take many prisoners. Action shots: camouflaged soldiers (even have branches stuck on their helmets) make their way quickly along a hillside, scrambling. VS soldiers firing weapons. Two Communist (?) soldiers surrender, come out with hands raised; a UN soldier walks to them to check them out. VS firefight, tracers zipping through the air. Ground combat.
News in Brief: Red Cross Dedication.
News in Brief: Red Cross Dedication. Pres. Truman officiates at cornerstone laying of the District of Columbia chapter house of the Red Cross. The new structure will house the local Red Cross blood bank. Truman spreads some mortar atop the cornerstone. WS building under construction.
News in Brief: Pakistan, Slain Premier Mourned.
News in Brief: Pakistan, Slain Premier Mourned. In Karachi, thousands pass in mourning before the bier of Liaquat Ali Khan, assassinated premier of the new Indian Moslem (Muslim) state. His death adds to the political turmoil dividing India. A few of the men are visibly upset, but most people seem respectful or curious.
July 25, 1995 - Part 2
(10:40:20) Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did you do with that? Ms. MATHEWS. At that point, I put it in the office. I was in the suite, the Chief of Staff 's suite, and I took it into the office of, at that time, Deputy Chief of Staff Roy Neel's Office. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Where did you place it? MS. MATHEWS. Inside the office, as you walk in to the right. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did you take any precaution to ensure that the trash not be thrown away again inadvertently? Ms. MATHEWS. The following morning when I came to work, I placed a call down to the Office of the Chief of Staff to let that office--to let them know what that was that was sitting in Roy Neel, the Deputy Chief of Staffs Office. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Do you recall whether you placed some kind of a note on the trash bag? Ms. MATHEWS. I placed the inventory that I had made on the trash. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. So it was clear that it was isolated-it had a note on it stuck to it reflecting the inventory, and then you took the additional precaution of phoning to advise the people in that office that they should safeguard this material? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, I both taped a note on and called. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Now, that evening, why didn't you put the trash bag back in Mr. Foster's office? Ms. MATHEWS. I'm sorry, I don't know. I didn't think to do that. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Because it was locked? Ms. MATHEWS. I don't know why I didn't take it Mr. BEN-VENISTE. You couldn't get in at that point? Ms. MATHEWS. I'm sorry. At that point, I don't know why I didn't Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did you go back upstairs after you had made the search of the trash and walked past the Counsel's Office? MS. MATHEWS. Yes, I did. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Were the doors closed? MS, MATHEWS, The doors were closed. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did it appear to have been locked? Ms. MATHEWS. It appeared to have been locked. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. So the trash was locked out, and so you put it in Mr. Neel's office for safekeeping? MS. MATHEWS. As far as the sequence of the timing on which thing, I did put it in Mr. Neel's office. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Let's turn to the burn bag material, which is separate from the trash. After you had gone through the steps that You have indicated to safeguard the trash, you thought, what about the burn bag material; is that correct? MS. MATHEWS. That's correct. 254 Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Burn bag material is material of a highly sensitive nature; is that correct? MS. MATHEWS. That's correct. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Would you explain the uses for burn bags'? MS. MATHEWS. Various people use them differently. When You're briefed in your security briefing on what you should use and what goes into a burn bag, it's explained that sensitive materials, those materials that people see on a need-to-know basis go into the bag. For instance, I worked in economic policy. Sometimes information that came over from the Federal Reserve to the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy was market sensitive. Therefore, that information, instead of-I would put in a burn bag to be taken care of. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. To whom did you speak about looking for Mr. Foster's burn bag material before you actually went to see if you could find it? Ms. MATHEWS. I again mentioned it to the senior staff in the Chief of Staff's Office to see if they agreed that it would be a good idea to obtain it. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Who did you speak to? Ms. MATHEWS. I don't remember specifically at that time who I talked to about that. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. But you basically got the green light as you had with the trash, go ahead, maybe that's a good idea? MS. MATHEWS. Yes, sir, Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Who did you speak to about getting the burn bag material which had been collected? MS. MATHEW. A uniformed division officer that was posted outside the Oval Office. As you walk down the hall, there's always a uniformed division officer there. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did you say to that gentleman? Ms. MATHEWS. I don't remember the specific words I used, but asked him how-if the burn bags-how would you know if they had been dumped for the evening and how to obtain that material. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Again, you didn't know one way or the other either whether Mr. Foster had a burn bag and if he had a burn bag in his office, whether that burn bag had been dumped? MS. MATHEWS. That's correct, I did not know at that time if he had one in his office. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. But you were taking the extra precaution of trying to find out? Ms. MATHEWS. Yes, sir. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did the uniformed officer tell you? Ms. MATHEWS. I'm not sure if he gave me a phone number or placed a call himself, but there was a call placed and the bag was brought, the commingled bag was brought to the Chief of Staffs Office. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. So, when you say "commingled," unlike the material that was in the larger receptacle for the trash, which had each individual trash bag separate and still maintaining the integrity of those individual trash bags, the burn bag material had all been dumped into one larger receptacle; is that correct?
New Air Mark: Jet Pilot Hits 634 in National Races
New Air Mark: Jet Pilot Hits 634 in National Races Ninety-one thousand cheer as Captain Fred J. Ascani, in a Sabre jet, sets a new closed course record of 634 miles an hour (mph) and a series of hair-raising formation flying and stunts sets a new high for the National Air Races. Various planes fly overhead in formation, including B-36 bombers and Vampire jets from Canada. Crowds look up. Jet speeds across sky. On the ground, two men enthusiastically congratulate a third (Ascani?). Marilyn Rich (?) performs stunts while dangling from helicopter. More stunts, including man standing on wing of biplane while it flies upside down. Yikes!
July 25, 1995 - Part 2
(10:45:45) Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. Everything was mixed. 255 Mr. BEN-VENISTE. From what you know about burn bags, is it correct that the actual burn bag is then retained, it's not destroyed along with its contents? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. Individuals keep their own and they're emptied on a nightly basis. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Now, you are looking at a large quantity of classified material, sensitive material; correct? Ms. MATHEWS. That's correct. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Tell us again what you did. MS. MATHEWS. I tipped the bag over and pulled out a few items, and then stopped. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What made you stop? Ms. MATHEWS. I was concerned, thinking about my security briefings, and I was concerned about going through the materials of the entire West Wing, that that may not have been appropriate for me. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Now, at that point, is it correct that you did not know that Officer O'Neill, who was delegated that evening with the responsibility of emptying the burn bags from the second floor of the West Wing, had not dumped Mr. Foster's burn bag? Ms. MATHEWS. No, I did not know that. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Going back to the trash material that you had collected, did you have a conversation with Mr. Nussbaum at any point that evening with respect to either what you were going to do or what you had done? Ms. MATHEWS. With respect to the trash? Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Yes. Ms. MATHEWS. No. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Now, what did you do after you had looked through the burn bag material, the commingled burn bag material, and realized that you might come across things that you should not be looking at? MS. MATHEWS. I did not go through the whole bag. I pulled out a few items, tipped it back up. At that time a senior staff person also commented they thought this probably wasn't a good idea. Then Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Who was that? Ms. MATHEWS. That was Gene Sperling, and then I actually asked Bill Burton what should we do with the burn bag. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did he say? Ms. MATHEWS. He said to seek the advice of Mr. Nussbaum, the Counsel. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. What did you do? Ms. MATHEWS. I went and asked Mr. Nussbaum about the burn bag, Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Where did you find Mr. Nussbaum? Ms. MATHEWS. I think that it was in the Chief of Staff 's Office secretarial area. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did you explain to Mr. Nussbaum what you had done and what you had looked through and what your concerns were? MS. MATHEWS. I explained to them that I had gotten the bag and had a question about what we should do with it. 256 Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did you tell him at that time that you had already isolated the trash bag from Mr. Foster's office? Ms. MATHEWS. I'm sorry, I don't recall. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Is there any reason why you would not have relayed to him your successful venture in recapturing Mr. Foster's trash? MS. MATHEWS. There is no reason, but I don't specifically recall. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Did Mr. Nussbaum say anything to you, in words or substance, you ought to get rid of that, throw that away? MS. MATHEWS. No, he did not. He advised me that Vincent Fos. ter did not Mr. BEN-VENISTE. With respect to the trash, I mean. MS. MATHEWS. No, no, I'm sorry. I thought you were referring to the bum bag. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Going to the question of the burn bag material, what did Mr. Nussbaum say to you? MS. MATHEWS. With regards to the burn bag, he advised me of two things. One is that he told me that Vincent Foster did not have a burn bag in his office, and he also said that it was a commingled burn bag and we should use the usual processing for our evening' Mr. BEN-VENISTE. You did not have the burn bag at that point, did you? Where was it physically? MS. MATHEWS. It was in the outer office where I was sitting. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. You had brought that material there? Ms. MATHEWS. The material had been-the material from the burn bag, in the large burn bag had been brought to the Chief of Staffs Office. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. By the uniformed n MS. MATHEWS. Uniformed division officer.
Fun At The Zoo
St. Louis. The chimps put on a comedy riot of laughs for the youngsters at the zoo, replete with rope-jumping, fancy swirls, and a midget motor for a spin around the arena. In Hamburg, Germany, a giraffe 'blessed event' brings out the throngs to watch infant antics. MCUS - Chimpanzee on stilts jumping rope LS - Looks like a circus atmosphere with chimpanzees doing what chimpanzees do CUS - Faces of little children MLS - Two chimpanzees come driving out on a monkey mobile MCUS - The proud parents of a baby giraffe MCUS - Baby giraffe romping around - real cute