[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[November 20, 1998]
[Pages 2064-2065]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters in Tokyo
November 20, 1998

Impeachment Inquiry

    Q. Mr. President, we were told that you were briefed today on the 
Judiciary Committee hearings back in Washington. Can you tell us what 
was your impression about the hearings? What kind of guidance did you 
give your attorney David Kendall about his accusation that Kenneth Starr 
was guilty of prosecutorial misconduct? And what do you think about the 
subpoenas for Bruce Lindsey and Bennett?
    The President. Well, first of all, I got only a cursory briefing. I 
didn't see any of the hearings, and I really can't comment on how they 
went. I only became aware recently, I think after I left, that Mr. 
Kendall was going to be able to ask some questions. So I don't know. My 
understanding is that he essentially asked questions consistent with the 
letter he had written both to Mr. Starr and the Attorney General several 
weeks ago. But beyond that, I don't know. I really haven't talked to 
anybody back in Washington. I just got a general, cursory review of 
that.
    Q. You didn't say anything to him about prosecutorial misconduct?
    The President. I believe that--I don't know this because I haven't 
seen it, and I haven't talked to anybody--my understanding generally was 
that the issues he raised were issues he had raised months ago--at least 
several weeks ago. He wrote a letter to Mr. Starr and wrote a letter to 
the Attorney General. But I don't

[[Page 2065]]

know very much about it. I've been here working on these economic and 
security issues, so I really can't say.
    Q. And the subpoenas of Bennett and Lindsey?
    The President. I'm not concerned about it, but I think Mr. Lindsey's 
subpoena was covered by previous decisions. But my understanding is that 
a subpoena for Mr. Bennett is without any precedent; that is, as far as 
I know, there has never been a case where a person's lawyer was asked to 
come and testify. But you will have to talk to them because I really--I 
haven't been there. I haven't been involved in it; I don't know what 
they're saying. And we'll just have to see what happens.
    I've got work to do here on the American economy and on these 
security issues, so that's all being handled by people back in 
Washington.

Note: The exchange began at 6:05 p.m. at Haneda Airport, prior to the 
President's departure for Seoul, South Korea. In his remarks, the 
President referred to his personal attorneys David E. Kendall and Robert 
F. Bennett; and Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr. A tape was not 
available for verification of the content of this exchange.