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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 8, 1999

                       STATEMENT BY GREGORY CRAIG
                    SPECIAL COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT

                            The White House

5:09 P.M. EST

MR. CRAIG: Good afternoon. The Senate has decided how it wants to proceed. We respect that. And in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Senate we plan to present, on behalf of the President, a vigorous, successful and complete defense.

We are optimistic, we are confident, that the senators, once they see and hear this defense in this opening phase of the trial will conclude that the articles do not justify or warrant conviction or removal from office.

We remain hopeful that this matter can be resolved expeditiously and fairly. Thank you very much.

-END- 5:10 P.M. EST