Trust
Talks continue to mediate Cobell trust fund suit


The parties in the Cobell Indian trust fund lawsuit continue to discuss mediation of the seven-year-old case.

The plaintiffs and Department of Interior officials have met at least twice in recent months. Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason and attorney David Bernhardt are representing the Interior.

There is no agreement yet on who might mediate the case. Dennis Gingold, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told the Associated Press it has to be someone of high stature. He suggested former president Jimmy Carter or former Sen. Robert Dole, a Republican.

Congressional leaders, however, are hailing the continuation of talks as "historic." The Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and the House Resources Committee yesterday issued statements praising the process. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), vice chairman of the Indian panel, also spoke about mediation at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) yesterday.

The plaintiffs wrote SCIA last spring to support mediation. Norton did not respond until November.

Get the Story:
Indians, feds to resume talks (The Denver Post 2/24)
U.S. OKs non-binding talks on Indian claims (The Arizona Republic 2/24)
Lawmaker urges talks in trust dispute (The Daily Oklahoman 2/24)
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Parties In 8-Year-Old Indian Lawsuit Agree To Mediation Talks (AP 2/23)

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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