August 1, 1994 - Part 8
August 1, 1994 - Part 8
(21:35:17) Ms. HANSON. That's correct, and it was not relevant to my decision because, if I had sat around and waited to make sure there was a press leak, by that time, it may have been too late Senator ROTH. Are you saying that you believe because there might be a leak Senator D'AMATO. Will the Senator yield for just a moment? I'd like to know, too late for what? You come and you say-and I understand the contention that if there are leaks, et cetera, but there was no leak. You say because nu feared there was a leak, therefore you could then cross this ne to brief someone. It's very questionable whether they should have been briefed about a potential leak. The Senator says, "Well, at that point in time there wasn't a leak." You said, "Yeah, that's right, but it would have been too late." Too late for what? Ms. HANSON. Sir, I didn't say, at that time, there wasn't a leak and, in fact Senator DAmATO. The Senator said, and it was his contention, there was no leak. The records indicate there was no public information out at that time, Now, question, you then said, 'Well I that's why we bad to do it now because, otherwise, it would be too late.", What do you mean by "it would be too late"? Ms. HANSON. Sir, what I meant was it was necessary in my view, that the White House be in a position to prepare themselves for possible inquiries, for inquiries that, in my judgment understanding the situation and having spoken with Mr. Roelle, were going to occur and, in the end, in fact, occurred. Senator DAmATO. But what did they say when Ms. HANSON. In answer Senator DAMATO. Wait a minute. Ms. HANSON. May I finish? Senator DAMATO. Yes, go ahead. 169 MS. HANSON. May I finish, please? In fact, it did turn out that reporters had incorrect information and, if they had printed the story based on the incorrect information they had, it would have put the Administration in a prejudicial light, the implication being that there Senator DAmATo. Did you correct Ms. HANSON. May I finish? Senator ROTH. Mr. Chairman, may I have my full time? The CHAIRMAN. We're on your time. Senator DAMATO. I'll yield him my time. Ms. HANSON. May I finish my statement? Senator SARBANES. Why don't we let Ms. Hanson complete her answer and go back to Senator Roth? The CHAIRMAN. You can complete your answer. Ms. HANSON. The information that the reporter bad was that the referrals were being held up at the RTC and not forwarded to the Justice Department. That was the inquiry that came into the Treasury. The clear implication of the question being that the Administration or the Treasury was interfering with the processing of the criminal referrals. It was in the interest of the Government, I believe, that this story, this reporter's information, be corrected, and that this story not be printed. That is one of the reasons why people are aware of information, so that they can deal with inaccurate press stories, or press inquiries, that if printed, would be prejudicial and damaging. The CHAIRMAN. You've made that point. I want to ask the clerk to restore some of Senator Roth's time, so that the time of your statement isn't charged against his statement. Senator ROTH. Ms. Hanson, in answer to my question, you said there was no factual knowledge at the time you made the contact. My concern, and my question, is if you don't need to have any actual leak or press inquiry, doesn't that exception swallow the rule? Doesn't the rule become a nullity? Would you answer? Ms. HANSON. Sir Senator ROTH. If at any time a person thinks there may be a press inquiry, an exception can be made to the rule of confidentiality, doesn't that really destroy the rule of confidentiality? Ms. HANSON, I don't believe that two Executive Branch officials speaking with each other on a matter relating to possible press inquiries or other governmental-in another governmental function breaches the confidentiality. Senator ROTH. That's not my question. Ms. HANSON. I'm sorry, sir. Senator ROTH. My question was, doesn't--if your logic is pursued, and an exception to the rule of confidentiality can be made any time there is a suspicion or belief that there is going to be a press leak, doesn't that destroy the rule of confidentiality, for all practical purposes?