Attorney General Reno's Weekly Press Conference, Nov. 2, 2000

WEEKLY MEDIA AVAILABILITY WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C.
9:32 A.M. EST THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2000

Q: Ms. Reno, can you describe for us whether there are additional
efforts being made; what's the state of play right now in trying to
secure additional cooperation from the government of Yemen?

ATTY GEN. RENO: We're addressing that issue. I think to comment
further would really be to comment on the investigation, and I don't
think I should go further.

Q: The Yemen government officials said openly and publicly yesterday
that they believe they're very close to an agreement with the U.S.
over allowing FBI agents to at least be present during questioning.
Would you dispute their statements?

ATTY GEN. RENO: I just think it's important at this point that those
people in the field be able to address the issues and work out
understandings without comments from Washington.

Q: Why would it make such a big difference for FBI agents to be able
to observe the interviews rather than read transcripts?

ATTY. GEN. RENO: I think it's, again, to comment would be to comment
on how you conduct an investigation, and I just really think that in
something this sensitive, where we're trying to be partners, that it
would be better for people to comment in the field.

Q: How problematic, though, has it been for you all not to have access
to these interviews? I mean, there's one side that says the
investigation is progressing independently of what the Yemen
authorities are allowing the U.S. to do. Can you characterize that at
all?

ATTY. GEN. RENO: I don't think I really should characterize anything
from a distance. I think it's a moving issue, as any investigation is.

Q: Can you at least tell us what kind of updates you're getting?
Daily? Twice a day? Once a week? And from whom, exactly?

ATTY. GEN. RENO: Usually once a day, but sometimes more than once a
day.