RICHARD reports his findings to RENO. She assigns Ray JAHN as lead prosecutor and coordinator in the case. DeGUERIN and ZIMMERMAN spend the day inside the compound and tell JAMAR that the Davidians will leave on either April 2 or 10, depending on their Passover observance. [Scruggs 94, 95]

Phil ARNOLD and Jim TABOR, two independent religion experts, appear on talk-show host Ron ENGELMAN's program, interpreting the Book of Revelations as it applies to the standoff.

Uneventful. [Scruggs 95. 96]

Uneventful. [Scruggs 96]

The lawyers meet again with KORESH and reiterate that everyone will come out after Passover. [Scruggs 97]

Davidians observe Passover. [Scruggs 97]

Despite complaints, the FBI continues broadcasting music throughout the night. [Scruggs 98]

KORESH refuses to confirm an exit date. POTTS and Floyd CLARKE, high-ranking FBI officials from Washington, are in Waco to discuss strategy, and HRT commander Richard ROGERS proposes a tear gas plan. [Scruggs 98, 256]

Uneventful. [Scruggs 99]

"Yahweh" KORESH sends letter to the FBI, saying the "heavens are calling you to judgment." Two experts analyze the letters (and four others sent over the next few days) and conclude he was possibly a psychotic and had no intention of leaving voluntarily. The FBI finalizes plans to use tear gas and seeks RENO's approval. [Scruggs 100]

HRT members start installing concertina wire around the compound. [Scruggs 102]

Fruitless negotiations take place with SCHNEIDER over the possible exit of three more Davidians, who decide against it. Tom McLARTY, White House chief of staff, discusses Waco with CLINTON, who refers to his experience as governor in dealing with a standoff at Fort Chaffee. [Scruggs 103, 242]

At high-level meetings, SESSIONS, HUBBELL and other Justice and FBI officials present the tear gas plan to RENO for approval. At first, she asks repeatedly, "Why now, why not wait?" but then becomes convinced some action is needed. [Scruggs 104, 263]

The tear gas plan is presented to RENO "not as an all-out assault but as a tactic whereby gas will be inserted in stages, initially into only one small area of the compound. The goal was to allow the exit through uncontaminated portions of the compound." RENO also asks about whether it would be possible to cut off the water supply to the compound. [Dennis 25, 26]

For most of the afternoon, KORESH bombards the negotiators over the phone with what they call "Bible babble," reiterating that he is not coming out until God tells him to do so. HUBBELL meets for 45 minutes in White House counsel Bernard NUSSBAUM's office with top CLINTON aides, Bruce LINDSEY and Vince FOSTER, to discuss the CS gas plan and advise Clinton (This is said to be the "most likely date" of a meeting that occurred sometime during this week.) HUBBELL backs FBI's action plan, citing negotiations impasse and need to pull the HRT back for training. NUSSBAUM reports to CLINTON, telling him that Waco is a matter for the Justice Department to handle. [Scruggs 105, 242, 243, 244]

A message from KORESH says that he will not surrender until he has written a manuscript explaining the Seven Seals. At a meeting in SESSIONS's office on the tear gas plan, two military experts and the Army's Dr. Harry SALEM brief RENO, detailing what is known about its effect on children ("...although there had been no laboratory tests performed on children relative to the effects of the gas, anecdotal evidence was convincing that there would be no permanent injury"). CLARKE says the Davidians might be running out of water. RENO asks FBI to gather information about the compound's water supply and estimate how long the Davidians could hold out. FBI says rationing is to ensure discipline, and provisions would last a year. RENO meets with Delta Force commanders to review the tear gas plan. [Scruggs 107, 243, 266, 269, 270]

The compound is stocked with a year's supply of food rations and was otherwise prepared to withstand an extended siege. [Dennis 6]

FBI officials report that the compound has enough water to last a significant period of time. HUBBELL talks by phone for two hours with SAGE, who argues for action. [Scruggs 106, 270]

After talking to SAGE, HUBBELL becomes convinced that the negotiators believe there is no further hope of getting the Davidians out through negotiation. [Dennis 57]