USA: VERNON JORDAN QUESTIONED ABOUT CLINTON/LEWINSKY CASE (2)

Описание: (4 Mar 1998) English/Nat

One of Bill Clinton's closest friends has told his story to the federal grand jury investigating the president's relationship with a former White House intern.

After a full day in court on Tuesday, Vernon Jordan said he answered all questions "truthfully and completely".

Prosecutors are trying to determine whether Jordan's help in getting Lewinsky a job and a lawyer may have been part of a broader effort to encourage Monica Lewinsky's silence about an alleged presidential affair.

After a full day behind closed doors with the federal grand jury, Vernon Jordan emerged from the federal courthouse saying he answered all questions to the best of his ability.

Clinton's longtime friend declined to elaborate on exactly what he told prosecutors.

However he did seek to rebut speculation that the investigation had caused a rift in his friendship with Clinton.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In response to a subpoena from the independent counsel, I testified before the grand jury today. I answered all of their questions truthfully and completely to the best of my ability. I shall return on Thursday for more questions. As to those who cast doubt on my friendship with President Clinton, let me reassure you that ours is an enduring friendship, an enduring friendship based on mutual respect trust and admiration. That was true yesterday, that is true today and it will be true tomorrow."
SUPER CAPTION: Vernon Jordan, Friend of U-S President, Bill Clinton

It was Jordan's efforts to find Lewinsky a job and an attorney that landed him in the middle of the controversy.

Prosecutors are trying to determine whether the assistance may have been a broader effort to encourage Lewinsky's silence in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case.

Lewinsky got a job offer from Revlon, where Jordan sits on the board and which he contacted on her behalf just days after signing an affidavit denying an affair with the president.

The president's golfing buddy has said that he began helping the former White House intern before he knew she had been subpoenaed in the Jones case.

Sources familiar with his account say he received assurances from Clinton and Lewinsky that there was no sexual relationship.

Clinton has been under siege for six weeks when allegations surfaced that he'd had an affair with Lewinsky and then encouraged her to lie about it under oath.

Both Clinton and Lewinsky have denied having a sexual relationship.

Vernon Jordan may have faced one day of questioning but his ordeal is not over.

He will return to court on Thursday to answer more questions.

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