August 2, 1994 - Part 7
August 2, 1994 - Part 7
(18:40:36) Mr. ALTMAN. As I said a few moments ago, Senator, I don't recall that and I don't believe I would have asked her to do that. Senator BOND. Mr. Chairman, the time is up. We have it very clearly in the deposition and in the testimony of Ms. Hanson. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Senator Bond. Senator Sasser, you wish to be recognized? Senator SASSER. Yes, Mr. Chairman, I do. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Sasser. Senator SASSER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Altman, it's clear that there is a discrepancy between your testimony and that of Ms. Hanson, and you testified that you did not request Ms. Hanson to initiate a September 1993 discussion with the White House regarding the referrals that were coming up from the Kansas City office. Did you request Ms. Hanson to have any other discussions with anyone else on the subject of the referrals that were coming from the Kansas City office of the RTC? Mr. ALTMAN. Senator, I don't recall suggesting Ms. Hanson advise anyone. Senator SASSER. Well, following up-but you say you don't recall asking her to advise anyone of the referrals coming up? Mr. ALTMAN. I don't believe that I did. Senator SASSER. Pardon? Mr. ALTMAN. I don't believe that I did. Senator SASSER. Did you ask her to consult or discuss with anyone these referrals that were coming up? Mr. ALTMAN. I don't recall doing so, Senator, no. Senator SASSER. Mr. Altman, let me follow up somewhat on the line of questioning that was initiated by Senator SARBANES. You indicated in response to Senator Sarbane's questions that you did not instruct or task Ms. Hanson to go to the White House and discuss the question of the referrals with Mr. Nussbaum or anyone else, but you did indicate that she might have inferred that she should have done so. Could she have inferred that she should have done so from something you might have said and if so, what could that have been? Mr. ALTMAN. Senator, I don't recall saying anything which could conceivably constitute a tasking, I don't recall that. I don't recall suggesting that Ms. Hanson brief the White House on this. I have a lot of respect for her. She's a professional. People can misunderstand each other. I think I referred to her deposition, the one I saw where she said "I can't recall" a couple of times, but I do not believe that I tasked her to do that. No. sir. Senator SASSER. Did Ms. Hanson make it a habit of going over to the White House, to your knowledge.) Mr. ALTMAN. Senator, as you know, she went to the White House that day, not in regard to Madison, but in connection with a meet- ing that was being held on the Waco report which had to do with the Davidians and the Waco, Texas tragedy. Senator SASSER. So the reason for her going to the White House on that particular day had nothing to do with Madison, to your knowledge? Mr. ALTMAN. My understanding is that was not the purpose of her visit, no. She was attending the White House in connection with a meeting on Waco and my understanding is that she and Mr' Nussbaum had an aside for a couple of minutes at the end of that meeting. Senator SASSER. Let me take you, Mr. Altman, to Mr. Steiner's diary. Now, Mr. Steiner's diary seems to suggest, and I quote it, you is gracefully ducked"- those are his words-"a question regarding telephone contacts with the White House' about Madison." In your prepared testimony, you deal with meetings and the recusal issue, but you don't touch on phone contacts. Now, what is your response to the notion that you intentionally left out telephone contacts? Mr. ALTMAN. Senator Sasser, I testified to the best of my ability on February 24, and I testified truthfully. The CHAIRMAN. Can you speak just a little bit louder,