Federal agents said Tuesday authorities had a "face-to-face" meeting with representatives from inside the fortified Branch Davidian compound for the first time in an effort to peacefully end the 17-day siege.
FBI Special Agent Dick Swensen said one of the federal negotiators and McLennen County Sheriff Jack Harwell talked for about an hour late Monday with two followers of cult leader David Koresh on a road about 60 yards from the camp.Swensen said they met with Steve Schnieder, a top aide to Koresh, and Wayne Martin, a Harvard-educated lawyer. Both men have been in the compound since the siege began Feb. 28 with an ill-fated federal raid on the compound.
Swensen said negotiators suggested the meeting as a way to get the conversations moving toward a peaceful settlement. He said they mostly discussed the physical condition of people inside and legal issues.
Swensen said Koresh is taking less of a role in the talks and the gunshot wound to his left side appears to be worsening, although it is still not considered life threatening by the negotiators and doctors.
Four federal agents were killed and 15 wounded Feb. 28 when they attempted to serve a search warrant for illegal firearms at the compound. At least three members of the sect were fatally wounded.
More than 100 men, women and children remain holed up inside the Mount Carmel camp.