August 4, 1994 - Part 5
August 4, 1994 - Part 5
(13:30:40) Senator DOMENICI. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, let me explain to the Committee my absence the last 2 hours or so, My other responsibilities didn't stop when I took on this one, and I had an appropriations conference for matters very important to my State, and I've been absent, but I will nonetheless go very quickly on my questions, I think you all have covered most things. I would like to make one observation. I still have a great deal of difficulty understanding this whole business of recusal. It seems to me that on the one hand, there is ample evidence that it wasn't very important that Mr. Altman even stay on because he had de facto, somebody says, recused himself. On the other hand, there seems to be a huge amount of concern among a number of White House people as to why he would even consider recusing himself. And then people like yourself, Mack, say it's all up to him. Frankly, I wonder very much what that's all about. I don't know that I'm going to get the answer, but clearly before I'm finished, I hope I understand what that's all about. I do know that on February 2nd, there were still some very im- portant issues that could be decided by the head of the RTC. Clearly the White House has referred to that position as the decisionmaker with reference to the Whitewater situation, the statute of limitations and whether tolling agreements would be sought. He may even have been the decisionmaker on whether or not a suit would be filed; some say there was ample evidence, some say there wasn't enough evidence. So he was in a decisionmaking position. Now, having said that, I then find that there's interest in the White House as to who knew that he was going to recuse himself, and I want to ask Ms. Williams a question. On February 3rd, Ms. Hanson testified that she arrived at the meeting at your office shortly after, Mr. Altman left. Ms. Hanson testified that she spoke with Mr. Ickes at that point in your office. Ms. Hanson testified that she was asked by Ickes how many people knew that she had recommended recusal. She answered just a few people and Ickes said good. Now, according to Hanson, Ickes then said it would be good if he did not disclose to others that she had recommended he recuse himself, "she" being Hanson. Now, Mr. Eggleston conferred and agreed that this is what occurred. Ms. WILLIAMS. I'm sorry, sir. I didn't hear the last. Senator DOMENICI. He agrees that this is what occurred, what I've just described. Now in your deposition, you do not recollect these events which occurred at your office in your presence. Does the testimony of Mr. Eggleston who now confirms that that took place, and of Ms. Hanson, who also says it took place, does that refresh your recollection? Ms. WILLIAMS. Sir, it does not. Let me ask you, if I may, did Mrs. Hanson say-I'm sorry. Did Mrs. Hanson say that she was talking to me? Senator DOMENICI. No, it was in your office. Ms. WILLIAMS. OK, Senator DOMENICI. And I believe the testimony is that you were there. 342 MS. WILLIAMS. OK Senator DOMENICI. So I'm not saying they were talking to you, but it was in your office and in your presence. This discussion of how many people know and it's good that nobody else finds out, don't tell anyone, you don't recall that, as I understand it. MS. WILLIAMS. No, sir, If I had recalled it, I would have said so in my deposition. Senator DOMENICI. So you stand by your testimony that you don't recollect that incident? Ms. WILLIAMS. No, sir, I do not. Senator DOMENICI. One last one. You testified earlier that on February 2nd, Mr. Altman described-and I'll quote you, this Is your quote- described "the process by which President and Mrs. Clinton could be asked to waive the statute of limitations."