(1 May 1997) English/Nat
U-S Attorney General Janet Reno firmly defended her decision not to seek an independent counsel's investigation of the Clinton Re-election campaign financing - telling Republican critics Wednesday that she won't yield to "pressure from any quarter."
Justice Department prosecutors are investigating whether illegal campaign contributions from foreign countries, notably China, was funnelled into Democratic Party coffers to buy influence at the White House.
Attorney General Janet Reno, grilled by Senate Republicans, said Justice Department prosecutors had found no evidence of wrongdoing by high Clinton administration officials that would warrant seeking an independent counsel.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We do not have any specific and credible evidence of criminal activity by any covered person and at this point I do not see any conflict."
SUPER CAPTION: Janet Reno, U-S Attorney General
Republicans accused the attorney general of misreading the law and of ignoring clear conflicts of interest that demand an independent investigation.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It is a violation to accept contributions in excess of the one thousand dollar amount. It is a violation to accept corporate contributions which were used for the campaign where they are co-ordinated."
SUPER CAPTION: Arlen Specter, U-S Republican Senator, Pennsylvania
Senator Fred Thompson who was a chief counsel in the Watergate hearings and now heads the Senate campaign finance investigation admonished Reno for her interpretation of the law.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This becomes very relevant. These analyses become very relevant. It's important that people have confidence in decisions being made. I know that you are doing the best you can with it. Whatever you do, you're going to be accused of succumbing to pressure - I understand that position, we all share that position in one respect or another in our jobs. But I respectfully request that you back with your people and your experts in these areas and revisit these questions. And if you still think that you have reached these conclusions maybe for the wrong reasons - clarify those reasons."
SUPER CAPTION: Fred Thompson, U-S Republican Senator, Tennessee
Despite the attacks, Reno held firm, saying she would not be swayed by pressure from politicians, the media or public opinion polls.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The one thing that I would point out to you. You know the one thing Americans tell me about polls. They tell me that one of the reasons that confidence in Government is declining is because people pay too much attention to polls and what I'm going to do is pay attention as best I know how to the evidence, and the law, and to any new argument you may have and I will consider it with an open mind."
SUPER CAPTION: Janet Reno U-S Attorney General
To counter the grilling - a Democratic senator put a vote of confidence on the record.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"You are the single most independent Attorney General by a long shot that I have had the privilege of knowing in the almost 25 years that I have been here."
SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Biden, U-S Democratic Senator, Connecticut
This is the second time in less than a month that the Attorney General has been asked to testify on the independent counsel issue.
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