Transcription
The president speaks forcefully with his most emphatic denial yet of sex and lies in the Monica Lewinsky case. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time, never."
At the same time, special prosecutor Ken Starr increases the pressure on Lewinsky to testify against the president, as the White House remains under fire. This is the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, reporting tonight from Washington.
Good evening. Here at the White House, the president's new counter-attack went beyond the court of public opinion to actual court in Little Rock. This included a blistering attack, all but directly accusing special prosecutor Republican Ken Starr of being out to get the president. In new motions in the Paula Jones case, former White House intern Monica Lewinsky has reportedly told all, talked, but still does not have a deal for immunity from Kenneth Starr. And Hillary Clinton stands by her husband at the White House. Then heads to a planned appearance in New York. Our coverage begins with CBS News White House correspondent Scott Pelley.
Scott, Dan. Tonight, Monica Lewinsky's attorneys tell us that she has told prosecutors all she knows. They describe what they call a complete account of her relationship with President Clinton, but that account was given over the telephone today and was not written down. Prosecutors are still trying to decide whether they will offer immunity.
This new threat came on the same day that the president finally rallied to his own defense. The president had been silent three days. His lawyers wanted it that way, but the political damage was rising much too fast. Today, drawn and bleary-eyed, Mr. Clinton joined the battle to save his presidency.
"But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time, never. These allegations are false, and I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you."
He turned his back on questions, as the first lady followed, applauding. The woman who could bring down the president appeared for the first time today, leaving her apartment with her lawyer. Lewinsky has indicated she will accuse Mr. Clinton of a sexual relationship, but only with a guarantee from prosecutors.
"He knows that I want essentially full immunity. He knows that I want and accept nothing less than a promise not to prosecute. So how close we are is really in his hands, not mine."
Tonight, independent counsel Kenneth Starr is considering whether to accept Lewinsky's oral statement. He had been insisting on a written version. CBS News has learned the independent counsel is investigating reports that people working in the White House spotted Mr. Clinton and Lewinsky alone in the Mansion at various times. Secret service records have been subpoenaed. The agents expect to be next.
The White House strongly denies the reports. The president's denial is quite clear that there couldn't have been that type of encounter. We've checked even with people who would have presumed probably been bright a report of any incident of that nature, and they categorically deny there was such an incident.
Sources tell CBS News Lewinsky was a frequent visitor to the White House long after she left the staff. Last month, she was cleared in at least four times, including weekends and evenings. But her welcome seems to have ended three weeks ago. On January 3rd, she was denied entry at the gate, and sources tell CBS News she threw a fit, screaming, "Don't you know who I am?"
The president was traveling the day Lewinsky was turned away. Four days later, she signed her sworn affidavit that she never had sex with Mr. Clinton. A grand jury is due to convene tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday. The grand jury will be hearing from witnesses that include the president's friend Vernon Jordan and the president's own personal secretary. Dan.