Agents Berate Cult Leader Koresh Over String of Broken Promises

Federal agents criticized Branch Davidian leader David Koresh Wednesday for leaving a trail of broken promises in the effort to bring about a peaceful end to the standoff at his cult’s heavily armed compound.

“We are put off,” said FBI Special Agent Bob Ricks. “We thought we were working toward a solution. Twice, he has made promises and twice he has broken them . . . I would have to say he is being disingenuous.”

On March 2, two days after the siege began, Koresh reneged on a vow to surrender after being allowed to broadcast his apocalyptic theology on a national Christian radio network. He told authorities he still needed a sign from God before he would give up.

Over the weekend, negotiators were left with the impression that Koresh would release a large number of followers in an attempt to end the situation within a few days. But only 10 of 105 people emerged from the complex.

Tuesday, Koresh rejected without explanation a settlement offer containing two of his demands, including more radio air time if he and his followers gave up.

In the latest rebuff, Koresh cut off all communications with negotiators on Wednesday because he said it was a holy day for the group. No further releases of his followers occurred Wednesday.

Ricks, who chastised Koresh last week as irrational, said authorities are concerned that the self-proclaimed messiah might be preparing to fulfill the group’s apocalyptic view that its members would die in a violent confrontation with law enforcement. He noted that the group appears to have ample food and water for a long standoff.

Also Wednesday, officials of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms disputed a cult member’s claim that ATF agents fired first in the shootout that precipitated the siege.

Four officers and an undetermined number of Branch Davidians were killed in the exchange of gunfire that began as ATF agents tried to serve a search warrant for alleged weapons violations.

After a brief federal court appearance here, Scott Peterson, an attorney for cult member Kathryn Schroeder, quoted his client as saying she saw ATF agents fire the first shots as she looked out a bedroom window. Schroeder, whose husband died in the gun battle, surrendered earlier in the siege and is being held in McLennan County Jail.

“We announced ourselves loud and clear. The door was shut in our face and we were met by gunfire,” said Dan Conroy, ATF deputy associate director. “This is just a ploy to increase the tension.”