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STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT REGARDING

WASHINGTON, D.C. Attorney General John Ashcroft issued the following statement regarding the recent events in Cincinnati:

"On Wednesday morning, the Department of Justice sent to Cincinnati conciliators from the Justice Department's Community Relations Service. They, along with the United States Attorney's Office, have been working with Cincinnati Mayor Charles Luken and other community leaders to help bring calm to the situation. The FBI also has opened an inquiry into the shooting death of Timothy Thomas.

"In response to the request of Mayor Luken and other elected and community officials, I have decided to immediately send representatives of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to conduct a review of the practices, procedures and training of the Cincinnati Police Department and to advise me on the steps we should take to best help the city. These Civil Rights attorneys will meet as soon as possible with Mayor Luken, community leaders and Cincinnati Police Division personnel. They also will coordinate with Justice Department officials who are already on the ground in Cincinnati. They are instructed to work and consult with all interested parties."

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