August 2, 1994 - Part 9
August 2, 1994 - Part 9
(22:35:40) Mr. ALTMAN. I had the discussion, as I said, Senator, that I recall having with Mr. Ickes, a couple minutes before another meeting we were both scheduled to attend. Senator DAMATO. Wasn't Mr. Eggleston there? Mr. ALTMAN. I don't recall whether he was there. Senator D'AMATO. Mr. Eggleston says be was there in his deposition. Maggie Williams says she was there. Mr. ALTMAN. Senator I'll give you my best recollection. Senator D'AMATO. Well, your best recollection is that-and I can read you Maggie statement where she talks about you calling and getting together in the West Wing. Senator Sarbanes just went over that with you and you said could you get some peo- ple together. But there did come a time when you went over to the White House and you talked and you informed Mr. Ickes and you don't recall if Ms. Williams was there and Eggleston, that you were not going to withdraw, that you were going to continue on the case, and that you would not recuse yourself. Isn't that right? Mr. ALTMAN. I said I was not going to recuse myself for the time being. Senator D'AMATO. Good. OK. So that took place on February 3; Is that not correct? ALTMAN. Around February 3, yes. Senator D'AMATO. Let's go back to the conversation we had when asked you about meetings. Now, remember the night before I told you, we were going to ask you about this, about contacts that you had or that the White House had, et cetera, and I refer you, and 504 I think you have a copy of the transcript of the bearing on February 24 to page 63. Do you have it in front of you? Mr. ALTMAN, Yes, sir. Senator D'AMATO. If you count up 10 lines from the bottom, it says, "Senator D'Amato." That refers to a question I asked. Will you read with me? I said "did anyone"--and I'm asking You now about the meeting of February 2. I'm asking you bow this came about. I said "did anyone request this meeting?" You responded -I requested the meeting." I then went on, Un,, there any other meeting that may have been requested?" You then responded, "No." Now, Mr. Altman, is that statement incorrect? Mr. ALTMAN. Senator- Senator D'AMATO, Do you read that-you see it in front of you? Mr. ALTMAN. I do, Senator. Senator D'AMATO. Now, is that statement-you said no. Is that incorrect or not? Mr. ALTMAN. I interpreted your question to mean were there any other meetings that the White House requested and I said no to that question Senator D'AMATO. Excuse me. The question of the White Houseexcuse me. The question of the White House did not come up until were there any other to which you said no. after you answered that question. I said meet ings that may have been requested, After that I then propounded a series of questions to ascertain the people from the White House may have put forth these. You cannot now tell me that you're answering a question that you didn't know I was going to even ask at that time. I ask you again; is that not correct? Were there any other meet- "that may have been requested. You said no. Mr. Altman, is that correct.? Is that correct? Mr, ALTMAN. That's bow I interpreted your question. Senator DAMATO. But is that correct? Mr. ALTMAN. I think the context of your question before Senator D'AMATO. Mr. Altman, the context of my question before was as it related to who set up the meeting of February 2--of February 2, quite clear. There's no reference to any-wbo set it up. You went on to say, and I'm paraphrasing, that you did, you requested the meeting. I said, "Was there any other meeting that may have been requested?" You said, "No." Now, Mr. Altman, you were not aware of that meeting in which you rushed over to the White House to inform them of your decision to not recuse yourself at that time? Mr. ALTMAN. First of all, Senator Senator D'AMATO. I mean, you forgot that? Senator SASSER. Mr. Chairman, for goodness sake, can't this witness answer a question? I mean, I've never seen such badgering of a witness in my life here. Senator D'AMATO. Was it correct, Mr. Altman? Mr. ALTMAN. I answered the question that I thought you asked and I answered the question that you asked to the best of my ability. I think there's a reasonable basis to have interpreted it the way I did because you immediately said, you mean there were no other meetings requested by the White House? Senator GRAMM. He didn't know 505 Senator BOXER. Mr. Chairman, now we've got two-- Senator DODD. He can answer. You made your point and I'd like to hear an answer. We've been over this matter but I'd like to hear an answer. Senator KERRY. I have no objection, I'm sure nobody has any objection to tough questions being asked but when two people start jumping in asking questions and the witness doesn't have an opportunity to answer, none of us are well served. I'll go for as long as we want but this witness has had a long, grueling night,