The FBI was asked to resolve the ensuing standoff, and Mr. Jamar, head of its San Antonio district office, took charge. Agent Noesner, other FBI negotiators and specialists, including the hostage-rescue team, poured into Waco. Losing ground Agent Noesner and others told investigators that negotiators began losing ground after Mr. Koresh reneged on a March 2 surrender promise. Frustration and anger were exhibited by . . . They and others proposed backing off, but that only irritated FBI commanders, Mr. Smerick and others said.
Tanks driving by, helicopter flights, press conferences, all have an impact.
When the negotiators told Koresh . FBI officials said that they needed heavy military tanks because the Davidians had .50-caliber guns and had bragged of having other munitions capable of penetrating armor. The officials also wanted to show superior government might - a display that raised eyebrows at the White House, internal Justice Department and FBI documents indicate. He said he then ordered FBI headquarters and Mr. Jamar not to move tanks without his approval. The next morning, a top Justice Department official reported that a TV network was showing tanks rolling around the compound.