Building a fence, reducing federal manpower and waiting the Branch Davidians out might eventually be the most viable, cost-effective option but is not likely to be considered soon, some federal officials said. Last weekend, federal officials strung a 3-foot, razor sharp wire fence to contain the compound. Officials will not rule out eventually replacing the fence with a more permanent enclosure. But heavily armed agents would still be needed around the clock to protect the compound's perimeter and prevent infiltrators from trying to help those inside, the official said. Even seven weeks into the siege, ATF and FBI officials say their agencies have no immediate plans to reduce either agency's contingent of several hundred agents in Waco.
Barbed wire does afford some protection both to people going out and coming in.
Such downscaling might not be politically feasible after so much time and effort has been poured into the Waco effort, said Mr. Ressler. You're dealing with a lot of political problems here. So for the foreseeable future, law enforcement officials involved in the siege and outside tactical experts say, there is little the federal agencies can do but talk, try to make the Branch Davidians' lives miserable-and wait. As long as that doesn't fly, the only other option is a complete containment policy. You make it the Mount Carmel federal correctional institute.