WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- President Clinton huddled with his attorneys in preparation for a pivotal moment in his presidency when he is expected to acknowledge he did have an improper relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Preparations were also under way today for him to explain to the American people his previous denials of such relations with the former White House intern. White House press secretary Mike McCurry said Clinton met in the morning with his attorneys and prepared for the unprecedented session with independent counsel Kenneth Starr's federal grand jury. Poised to become the first sitting president to testify in such a manner, Clinton actually practiced in the White House Map Room, where he was to be sworn in at 1 p.m. Jurors at the federal courthouse just blocks away from the White House will view the testimony on closed-circuit television. 'The president is confident as he goes into today's session,' McCurry said. 'I wouldn't say he's exactly looking forward to it but he knows with certainty what he is going to testify to -- and that is the truth and the whole truth.' The spokesman also said preparations were under way for Clinton to address the nation, perhaps Monday evening, also from the Map Room, after his testimony is concluded. It also appeared likely the president would not depart for his scheduled vacation in Martha's Vineyard until Tuesday. 'I think the president needs to talk to the American people,' McCurry said. On hand for the historic session was to be Starr, who began investigating the president's relationship with Lewinsky in January.
It will culminate months of legal wrangling and often acrimonious relations between the White House and the Office of the Independent Counsel. Starr has forced the testimony of scores of Clinton's closest aides in the far-reaching probe. McCurry said he and other senior staffers had not been informed regarding the specifics of Clinton's testimony, although it appeared clear they expected Clinton to reverse months of denial that he had 'sexual relations' with Lewinsky and admit to jurors he engaged in an inappropriate or improper relationship with the then 21-year-old employee. Lewinsky, who received immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony, claimed to have had an 18-month affair with Clinton and turned over a blue dress with possible evidence. The session carries high stakes for Clinton, who must square his previous sworn testimony in the now-dismissed Paula Jones civil sexual harassment lawsuit. Besides the issue of possible perjury, he also will face questions of possible obstruction of justice but McCurry said his attorneys had expressed confidence Clinton would not be in legal jeopardy after he finishes testifying. ---
Copyright 1998 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ---
