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Thursday, November 20, 2003

Secretary of Interior Gale Norton sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs regarding settlement of the Cobell Indian trust fund case.

Sens. Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Daniel Inouye wrote Norton and the plaintiffs on April 8. Native American Rights Fund (NARF) executive director John Echohawk responded on May 23, saying the plaintiffs support settlement.

Norton never wrote back until Tuesday, when she referred to a "recent'" letter sent by Campbell and Inouye, but they sent that letter only after associate deputy secretary Jim Cason, on October 29, said the administration would support mediation of the suit. Norton said she would work with the Senate committee to set an initial meeting to discuss settlement.

Get the Story:
Meeting on trust offered (The Oklahoman 11/20)
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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

Related Stories:
Cobell plaintiffs disputing trust fund rider (11/17)
Settlement in trust fund case an elusive goal (05/29)

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