The Electronic Telegraph   Sunday 15 May 1994   World News

Congress backs off Clinton hearings
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

THE prospect of full Congressional hearings into the Whitewater affair have collapsed, with Republicans in the House of Representatives accepting that they can do little to force the Democratic majority's hand.

Although the Paula Jones affair remains a political minefield, the White House can breath easier now that the Democrats are making clear that they will not carry through their pledge to hold televised hearings into the Arkansas business dealings of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Congressman Chris Cox, one of the key Republicans demanding hearings, said: "Our guys have been looking at the polls. They don't see any groundswell out there in the country and they have backed away from a fight."

Robert Fiske, the special prosecutor, will continue his investigation but it could be years before he reports.

There is still a possibility of limited hearings in the Senate Banking Committee, where the Republicans are much stronger and have the power to paralyse daily business. But a special committee of the House and Senate now looks unlikely.

A potential witness in the sexual harassment suit against President Clinton has been found dead at her Arkansas home, apparently from a shot to the head.

Kathy Ferguson, 38, was the former wife of Danny Ferguson, the Arkansas state trooper named as co-defendant in the suit filed by Mrs Jones. Police said the death was an "apparent suicide".

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