Washington Section News - Page B3
CLINTON WHITE HOUSE APOLIGIZES TO REPUBLICAN CONGRESS
by Staff Journalists, The Daily Republican OnLine Newspaper
Related News Story:
WASHINGTON DESK - Presidential candidate, Bob Dole(R) criticized the Clinton White House on Saturday for improperly using confidential FBI files for political purposes. At issue are FBI files on more than 300 Republicans.White House chief of staff Leon Panetta, appearing on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday, called the files fiasco an "inexcusable" mistake. The Wall Street Journal today called the FBI flap an "inexcusable" blunder by Chief of Staff Leon Panetta.
Dole said, "For an administration that was supposed to be the most ethical in history, the Clinton White House certainly makes a lot of innocent mistakes ... As the disclosures and resignations and convictions mount, the facts paint a very different picture" from the excuses that the administration offers for each new problem. He said Clinton should apologize for "this sad invasion of privacy."
Congressman, William F. Clinger Jr., (R) said the Clinton White House had lied to the FBI to obtain confidential files about the former director of the White House travel office, as well.
On Tuesday, after investigating the dismissal of seven employees of the White House travel office, Clinger said he had discovered that the White House obtained the FBI file on Billy Dale, seven months after Dale was dismissed as the office director in May 1993.
The reason listed on the request form sent to the FBI was that Dale was being checked for a security clearance for the White House.
Congressman Clinger charged that Clinton's real reason was an attempt to obtain damaging information about Dale to discredit him. On Friday, White House officials admitted Dale's file was sought with as many as 340 others as part of an innocent Clinton administration mistake.
FBI Director Louis Freeh ordered new restrictions on sharing confidential information with the White House following public disclosure of the FBI breach of security.
Congressman Dick Armey(R) of Texas, the House leader, said on Saturday that there would be an inquiry. Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel investigating Whitewater-related matters, has already begun an investigation of the latest political fiasco in the Clinton Whote House.