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MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2003

The lead plaintiff in the Indian trust fund lawsuit says the Bush administration is behind a push to settle the long-running case.

Elouise Cobell said the Department of Interior is trying to divert attention from the courts to Congress. The courts have not been receptive to the government but some members of Congress are willing to limit the government's trust responsibilities.

Last week, the leaders of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee sent an identical letter to the plaintiffs, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton, the Native American Rights Fund and Dennis Gingold, an attorney for the plaintiffs. Sens. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) urged the parties to settle or face Congressionally-imposed mediation.

Get the Story:
Cobell says Interior trying to block lawsuit (AP 4/20)

Relevant Documents:
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Letter (April 8, 2003)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust

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