August 2, 1994 - Part 2
August 2, 1994 - Part 2
(11:10:36) Mr. STEINER. Senator, I think Mr. Altman sent out a clear direction as to how be wanted this case handled. That's what executives often do. They give clear direction as to how they want something to proceed. senator KERRY. Was there any indication from Mr. Ryan or Ms. Kulka that it would proceed any, way than otherwise? Mr. STEINER. I don't believe so. No, Senator. Senator KERRY. Then what was the concern? Mr. STEINER. The concern, as I mentioned, as mentioned by Mr. Nussbaum. Senator KERRY. I understand the concern expressed by Mr. Nussbaum, and he'll be here, as will others, to explain it. I'm just trying to understand. I think your diary is very refreshing. I think it's very honest. know you, I know yo're honest, and I know the idealism with which you approach this process. I think you have nothing but the highest public motives at stake. You are the kind of person we need involved in public service. You certainly weren't writing the diary for the purposes of being untruthful, were you? Mr. STEINER. Senator, absolutely not. Senator KERRY. I assume you wanted to have the most accurate diary you could have had, don't you? Mr. STEINER. I want to repeat, Senator, if I could, and I'm sure you're getting tired of hearing this, but the purpose was not to write a precise narrative or to give an exact chronology of what took place. Over the past 5 months, I've had to live with this document, and I've had to go and testify under oath about exactly what I knew and exactly what I think occurred. That's what I'm trying to do for 349 you today. Senator KERRY. I appreciate that, but my time is up. I don't want to cut you off at all. My time is up, and I want to stick by the time limits. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. Senator Faircloth. OPENING COMMENTS OF SENATOR LAUCH FAIRCLOTH Senator FAIRCLOTH. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll go to Mr. Steiner also. And if you will, pull that microphone real close and speak a little slower. Mr. STEINER. Yes, sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. You testified that you believe that Roger Altman was candid with the Committee, yet you wrote in your diary that Altman gracefully ducked the recusal issue. Is it your testimony that being candid and gracefully ducking are consistent? Mr. STEINER. Senator, I don't believe that lie ducked any questions about recusal. I don't believe he was asked any questions about recusal. Senator FAIRCLOTH. What do you mean by gracefully ducking the recusal issue? Mr. STEINER. The illusion here, Senator, is not to the recusal issue. The illusion is to questions concerning the Treasury-White House contacts. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Do you mean to tell me avoiding answering questions on the issue when you say you're ducking, is that what you mean? Mr. STEINER. Senator Senator FAIRCLOTH. Give me your description of ducking a question. Mr. STEINER. Senator, as I said, I think Mr. Altman was truthful in his testimony before you. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Is truthful and ducking consistent in testimony? Mr. STEINER. I think Mr. Altman was asked a question which he did not anticipate, and he answered in a way that allowed him to convey the information in the clearest possible way that be could. Senator DAMATO. Mr. Steiner, if I might, what question are you referring to that he did not anticipate? Mr. STEINER. I believe he was asked about Treasury-White House contacts. Senator D'AMATO. Would it change your mind if you were to know that the evening before, in a conversation with me, that I had advised him that we would be asking him directly what contacts he had, and Treasury bad, with the White House. Were you aware of that phone conversation I had with Mr. Altman? Mr. STEINER. No, I was not, Senator. Senator D'AMATO. Would that change your mind? If I told him, the evening before, we are going to a askwhat contacts you, or Treasury, or your staff, and the staff I at the White House have bad. 350 Senator FAIRCLOTH. And you're telling me that he gracefully ducked the questions. He knew what was going to be asked. Mr. STEINER. Well, Senator Senator FAIRCLOTH. The whole thing is, be knew what he was going to be asked. He wasn't surp rised. And you're saying that he very gracefully ducked. So, in other words, I don't know, make a distinction between ducking and lying? Mr. STEINER. Senator, if I were to describe that testimony today, I would undoubtedly choose different words. Senator FAIRCLOTH. What now? Mr. STEINER. If I were to describe the testimony today Senator FAIRCLOTH. I'm sure of that. I've never doubted that. Lord have mercy. I knew you'd use different words today, But you tell me the difference between ducking and lying? Mr. STEINER. Senator, as I said before, I do not believe that Mr, Altman lied or attempted to mislead this Committee. I believe he spoke truthfully and to the best of his knowledge.