Cult Leader Is Asked to Let Followers Be Free to Leave : Standoff: FBI issues public appeal, vowing they ‘will be treated fairly and humanely.’ No sign given of anyone’s release or of end to 7-day siege.

Federal authorities issued an unusual public appeal on Saturday for armed cult leader David Koresh to let those who wish to leave his heavily fortified farm compound do so.

Although negotiators have been in constant telephone contact with Koresh, who is holed up in the compound with 106 followers, FBI Agent Bob Ricks at a news conference urged the messianic leader to let his followers go, saying that they would be treated fairly.

“If he is listening,” Ricks said, “we want to give him and his followers our assurance that he and everyone inside will be treated fairly and humanely if they come out.”

But the 33-year-old leader of the tight-knit Branch Davidian sect gave no indication that he plans to release any of the men, women and children inside the compound--or end the seven-day standoff with federal agents.

Ricks stressed that “we have no specific information they are being held against their will . . . and we are not treating this as a hostage situation at this time.

“The point we are making is that we have information that a number of people would like to go out but still look at Mr. Koresh as their leader. We believe that if he gave his word they were free to leave, they would do so.”

The confrontation began last Sunday when 100 Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents came to the cult’s compound to serve arrest and search warrants charging Koresh with federal firearms violations.

The raid attempt erupted into a 45-minute gun battle that killed four federal agents and injured 15. Among at least three cult followers believed killed in the assault was a 2-year-old girl.

As of Saturday morning, 21 children and two elderly women had been released from the compound 10 miles east of here, authorities said. Remaining inside were 17 children, 47 women and 43 men.

“We have some concern that the failure of some adults to actually come out indicates that they may not personally feel free to leave, despite Koresh’s assurances to the contrary,” Ricks said.

Federal officials have said they are not planning to set a deadline, even if they succeed in getting all of the children out.

Ricks said that the virtually nonstop telephone negotiations between Koresh and FBI agents have begun to focus on what Koresh and his followers can expect from the judicial system if they surrender.

“Mr. Koresh has expressed concern about his personal safety and the safety of others,” Ricks said. “And about how these people would be handled if they walked out . . . booking procedures . . . housing . . . and also assurances that there would be no retaliation taken by anyone in the federal government for what transpired in this tragic incident.”

Dan Hartnett, associate ATF director, added that “as people come out, some will be charged.”

Koresh “has been told that up front,” Hartnett said.