July 29, 1994 - Part 3
July 29, 1994 - Part 3
(13:00:13) Senator D'AMATO. Why don't I give you these questions in writing and then if you could ascertain where that pager went, how it went, under whose direction, what took place to it, was there a check made for numbers. Did it go to White House personnel? flow come it was removed from the body? Is that usual procedure? Mr. COLOMBELL. I think that's a question, if you re saying is that usual U.S. Park Police procedure, I would respectfully submit that you ask the Park Police that question. It is my understanding that the pager was returned by the Park Police. And as I mentioned, I would prefer to be able to provide a more complete response in writing if I could, sir. Senator D'AMATO. Fine. All right, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator D'Amato. Does anyone on our side seek recognition at this point? Senator Sarbanes. 51 Senator SARBANES. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Monroe, you were asked about logging a vehicle out of the White House- this was not a White House vehicle or White House car or anything, it was Mr, Foster's own car. Mr. MONROE. It was his personal 1993 Honda that was used, his personal vehicle. Senator SARBANES. That's the car he commuted to work with and then he left and went out this afternoon in that car? Mr. MONROE. That's correct, sir. Senator SARBANES. And I wanted to clarify one thing about the pager Mr. Colombell, which is I think you indicated had a message or two from Nussbaum or someone in his office on it; is that--I mean, an effort to reach him; is that correct? Mr. COLOMBELL. That, I believe, is correct. Senator SARBANES. Now, Foster was Deputy Counsel to Nussbaum; is that correct? Mr. COLOMBELL. That is correct, Senator. Senator SARBANES. In other words, he worked in that office? Mr. COLOMBELL. That is correct, he worked next door. Senator SARBANES. Dr. Hirsch, I'd like to ask you if you could just briefly give the Committee your background and experience in working these kinds of issues. Dr. HIRSCH. How about my current position, sir? Do you want me to review my entire curriculum vitae? Senator SARBANES. I'm sure that's very lengthy. Why don't you give enough of it so that we can qualify you as an expert here today. Dr. HiRSCH. I've been a practicing full-time career forensic pathologist since I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1969. Since then, I've worked in my capacity as a forensic pathologist for 10 years at the coroner's office in Cleveland, Ohio, 51/2 years at the coroner's office in Cincinnati, Ohio. I served 4 years as the chief medical examiner of Suffolk County, New York, which is the eastern two-thirds of Long Island. And for the last 51/2 years I've been the chief medical examiner of the city of New York. Senator SARBANES. Chairman Riegle asked you your view on whether the Vincent Foster death was suicide and my recollection is you said yes, absolutely; is that correct? HIRSCH. Yes, sir. Senator SARBANES. Now, you served on a panel, you were one of a four- member panel that examined this matter; is that correct? Dr. HIRSCH, Yes, sir. Senator SARBANES. Are you in a position to tell us whether the other members of the panel agree with you in that judgment-is their judgment the same as yours on this matter? Dr. HIRSCH. Absolute] Senator SARBANES. All four of you? HIRSCH. All four of us unanimous without objection. Senator SARBANES. Mr. Monroe, are you familiar with the other scenarios or theories that are being a advanced with respect to the Foster death? Mr. MONROE. Somewhat familiar, Senator. There have been a host of them, 52 Senator SARBANES. I take it in preparing the report, you examine them; is that correct, or at least some of the assertions that were being made? I mean, there have been some very far-out assertions made in this matter. Mr. MONROE, That is correct, Senator. Senator SARBANES. Did you find any credible basis for those as. sertions? They're really directly contrary to the conclusions you've reached. You've reached a conclusion, and we understand how firm you are about it. I'm just curious as to whether you think these alternative scenarios have any credible bases to them. Thank you. The CHAiRmAN. Senator Bond. Senator BOND. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Monroe, I am concerned about the basis for the conclusion in the Independent Counsel's report that the Whitewater/Madison. issues were neither a matter of express concern in the White House nor that Mr. Foster did not have a concern about Whitewater. Were you the one who conducted the interview of Assistant U.S. Attorney, Fletcher Jackson, in Little Rock? Mr. MONROE. I was not. Senator BOND. Who did? Mr. MONROE. The location? Where was that, Senator BOND Who did the interview of the sir? Assistant U.S. Attorney Fletcher Jackson?