FBI MOVES CLOSER TO RANCH : FREEMEN WON'T QUIT, NEGOTIATOR REVEALS.

Byline: Hal Spencer Associated Press 

Federal agents moved three armored vehicles closer to the Freemen ranch Sunday, within the FBI's road blocks around the ranch where the anti-government group has been holed up for 70 days.

Reporters could get no closer than 2-1/2 miles from the entrance to the foreclosed wheat and cattle ranch, but there were no indications the FBI planned to enter the compound.

``We've moved them from one parking place to another,'' said a government source who spoke on condition of anonymity. ``We haven't given up'' trying to end the standoff peacefully.

State Rep. Karl Ohs, who has met with the Freemen 18 times since the standoff began, told The Billings Gazette in its Sunday edition that the Freemen position has hardened recently.

``Right now, we're in a pretty tough spot,'' Ohs said. ``They seem much more entrenched.''

The FBI established additional checkpoints Sunday along a rural road between Jordan and the Freemen ranch 30 miles away.

According to Tom Stanton, a neighboring rancher, the armored vehicles are parked at a spot about four miles east of the compound and would have access to it on a back road.

The vehicles, which were not visible, were last seen by reporters topping a hill about eight miles from the ranch's back gate, which was as far as reporters could go on that road.

At the FBI staging area in Jordan, all appeared relatively calm. A helicopter that arrived Friday remained there.

The FBI has said it wanted the armored vehicles to be available in the event it became necessary to conduct emergency rescues or occupy parts of the ranch.