WEEKLY MEDIA AVAILABILITY WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

WASHINGTON, D.C.



9:15 A.M. EDT -- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2000


Q: On the Carnivore, there was another hearing yesterday on Capitol
Hill, and I believe that yesterday was also your deadline for
applications by universities interested in conducting your independent
study. What is the status of your selection process? Can you tell us
how many applicants you have now and how soon you'll name someone?


ATTY. GEN. RENO: I am told that the Procurement Integrity Act
prohibits us from talking about the applications, including who and
how many have been received. If I am incorrect in that, we will get
you the information as soon as possible.


Q: But the process has -- the applications are in, and that's done,
right? (Inaudible.)


ATTY. GEN. RENO: I'm told that I can tell you that the selection team
is currently meeting.


Q: All right. Let me try one more. There have been reports that some
universities were interested and backed out because they thought the
process might be too restrictive. Were there any instances in which
universities took themselves out of the running? Can you --


ATTY. GEN. RENO: I don't think I can really comment on it. I'm as
frustrated sometimes as you are by the process.


Q: While we're on Carnivore, any progress in changing the name --
(laughter) -- to something like "Rover" or "Fluffy" or "Spot"?


ATTY. GEN. RENO: I think the feeling is that we want to get the
report, see what, if anything, needs to be done, and go to a second
stage with a new name.