Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 27, 1973 (1/2)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 27, 1973 (1/2)
[01.00.08] And subsequently on the, 28th or 29th when I talked, to Mr. Krogh I was very curious myself to find out what, it was. and that is when I asked Mr. Krogh if, in fact, Mr. Ehrlichman had authorized the burglary of the doctor's office and he had told me that he didn't think Mr. Ehrlichman knew in advance. Senator INOUYE. Didn't you believe that the offer of money for silence was a criminal offense? Mr. DEAN. Yes, I did. Senator INOUYE. Why did you say that these problems were more technical and political than legal ? Mr. DEAN. That, isn't the way I believe I cast it. When I said they were indictable I meant despite the, degree of technicality as an indictment, I can't say I was a criminal lawyer but I did recognize an obstruction of justice. Senator INOUYE. [QUOTING W.H. MEMO ATTACKING DEAN'S TESTIMONY] "He gave no hint, however, of his orchestration of perjured testimony by Magruder and others. Ehrlichman suggested that everyone be made to appear before the grand jury and waive executive privilege." Mr. DEAN. I have no recollection of that at, all. To the contrary, when we met subsequently I kept shaking my head and saying, "No," Ehrlichman, Dean and Haldeman are indictable and the tone of the conversation was not going to come forward but rather to continue the coverup and I think the, subsequent meetings on the 22d with Mr. Mitchell, if the President indeed had received the message. I was trying to give certainly wouldn't have engaged in the conversation with Mr. Mitchell that afternoon which would leisurely discuss the status of this committee and the like. Certainly nothing of any significance occurred at all after that 21st meeting. [01.02.03] Senator INOUYE. [QUOTING W.H. MEMO ATTACKING DEAN'S TESTIMONY] "Dean thought this would be a good idea but only if the persons who appeared before the grand jury were given immunity." Mr. DEAN. 1 don't recall that at all. I do recall general discussions that I thought, that one of the best ways to get the truth out would be if people could receive immunity because I knew a lot of people would be unwilling to talk or that their stories would be less than forthcoming if they felt they were going to incriminate themselves. Senator INOUYE. Should it be I do not recall or it did not happen? Mr. DEAN. The reference to the discussion of immunity? Senator INOUYE. Yes. It is very important. I note throughout your testimony your power of recollection is immense but oftentimes you have testified that you cannot recall. Mr. DEAN. I am sorry, with regard to this-- Senator INOUYE. Is there a possibility that it did happen? Mr. DEAN. Yes, it is. I do not recall specifically, Senator. [01.03.05] Senator INOUYE. [QUOTING W.H. MEMO ATTACKING DEAN'S TESTIMONY] "At, another meeting that day Ehrlichman strongly opposed immunity." Mr. DEAN. I never heard that. Senator INOUYE This did not happen? Mr. DEAN. Not to my knowledge. Senator INOUYE. "On -March 23 Dean was sent to Camp David in order to complete the long-promised report. Dean was at Camp David for 6 days but came down on the night, of the 28th and delivered nothing." Mr. DEAN. That is correct, I delivered nothing because I had, as I have testified, had earlier conversations about my testimony. Every time I revealed the slightest inch of my knowledge, recollections began to change, characterizations began to change. I was asked to handle testimony in different ways. Wen I came down from Camp David there was no doubt in my mind that I wasn't going to play the coverup game and I wasn't I going to give them any further information with which they could play the coverup game. [01.04.08-TAPE OUT]