Congress should no longer let the Department of Interior "drag its feet" on the Indian trust fund, The Denver Post says in an editorial.

The paper welcomes mediation talks between the plaintiffs in the Cobell lawsuit and the government. "If Interior officials had negotiated a deal when they had a chance, they could have saved taxpayers a bundle," the paper says, pointing out the rising cost of trust reform.

The paper criticizes Congressional appropriators for meddling in the suit through the use of riders. "Far from helping the government's long-term interests, the amendment discouraged the department from sincerely trying to settle the mess," the paper says.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Settle Indian trust lawsuit (The Denver Post 2/29)

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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