Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 20, 1993 TAG: 9304200136
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
March 1: Ten children released. Koresh speaks on radio, saying the gun battle was "unnecessary."
March 2: Two women, six children released. Koresh agrees to surrender if a taped statement is broadcast; sermon is broadcast on radio and TV, but Koresh doesn't keep agreement.
March 3: ATF holds first major public briefing, announcing that Koresh said he would surrender when he received "further instruction from God." One child released.
March 4, 5: Two more children leave compound. Authorities say Koresh has denied an intent to commit suicide.
March 15: Steven Schneider, Koresh's top aide, and attorney Wayne Martin meet with an FBI negotiator and McLennan County Sheriff Jack Harwell.
March 18: FBI begins using loudspeakers to blare tapes of negotiations to cultists.
March 22: Authorities blast compound with chants of Tibetan monks; they say Koresh is allowing only those to leave who would be a drain or a liability in a shootout.
March 24: Koresh breaks off negotiations, saying sect is celebrating a "high holy day."
March 28: After four days of silence, Koresh talks to negotiators again. Houston attorney Dick DeGuerin, hired by Koresh's mother, has a phone conversation with him.
March 29: DeGuerin talks with Koresh at the compound; DeGuerin describes conversation as "very good, useful."
March 31: FBI halts its negotiations with the sect while DeGuerin has a third day of private talks with Koresh.
April 1: Federal officials say those who left the compound noted the significance of Passover and that a breakthrough might occur in conjunction with the religious holiday.
April 3: FBI says Koresh appears closer to ending standoff but is still waiting on a sign from God; agents say they will change tactics if Passover comes and goes without a surrender.
April 8: Cult leaders says there is no significance with Passover and no plan to surrender when it's over, FBI reports.
April 9: Koresh sends the FBI a letter warning that an earthquake would crack open a dam on Lake Waco.
April 10: Koresh sends out angry four-page "letter from God," depicting a powerful and vengeful god "who will smite his enemies." FBI says Koresh appears to be waiting for a natural disaster before ending the standoff.
April 13: Passover ends with no end to the standoff.
April 14: Koresh sends out word he will surrender after writing a manuscript in which he reveals the contents of the Seven Seals referred to in the Book of Revelations in the Bible.
April 16: FBI agent says the FBI won't wait forever on Koresh: "We are on our own time schedule," and not that of Koresh.
April 19: The compound burns to the ground after FBI agents in an armored vehicle smashed the buildings and pumped in tear gas. Justice Department said cult members set the fire.
\ Source: Associated Press
by CNB