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Koresh Rejects Surrender Offer of Cult Contact and Radio Time

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Branch Davidian leader David Koresh on Tuesday rejected an offer by federal agents granting him access to his followers and air time on a national Christian radio network if he surrendered, federal officials said.

FBI Special Agent Bob Ricks told reporters during a news conference here that negotiators met face-to-face with Steve Schneider, a high-ranking member of the sect, on Monday night and gave him a written proposal in an attempt to resolve the 24-day siege of Koresh’s armed compound.

Upon giving himself up, the offer would have allowed Koresh to maintain contact with his followers as long as it did not conflict with jail procedures or the advice of attorneys for the group’s members.

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Koresh also would have been permitted to broadcast his views on the same national Christian radio station that aired his hourlong recorded statement two days after the siege began in February.

Ricks said Koresh rejected the offer shortly after receiving it.

About 95 people, including 17 children, remain inside the barricaded compound, which is about 10 miles east of Waco. They have been surrounded by several hundred federal and local officers since Feb. 28, when four Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents were fatally shot while trying to serve a search warrant for alleged weapon violations.

Since the siege began, 35 Branch Davidians have surrendered, including nine who exited the 77-acre complex last weekend.

Tuesday morning, another Koresh follower, Livingston Fagan, 33, of Britain, left the compound.

Ricks said authorities have gotten the impression that the remaining people want to come out, but they must meet with Koresh before they depart.

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