CNSNews.com
Friday, March 2, 2001

"Upon the advice of my counsel, I respectfully decline to answer that question based on the protection afforded me under the United States Constitution," Dozoretz responded to a question by Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn., about Denise Rich's contributions to the Clinton presidential library.

Shays then said: "Let me ask you this. Will that be your response to all our questions?" "Sir, that will be my response to all questions," Dozoretz said.

Dozoretz was excused from testifying by committee Chairman Dan Burton, R-Ind.

Committee ranking Democrat Henry Waxman, D-Calif., was disappointed that Dozoretz took the Fifth Amendment, saying people should testify and cooperate with investigations conducted by Congress.

During his opening statement, Burton said Dozoretz and Denise Rich had put obstacles in the way of the committee's investigation.

"We have two key witnesses who are taking the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination. Denise Rich exercised her Fifth Amendment rights three weeks ago. We don't know if she's done anything wrong. We don't anticipate she has, but we sure wish she would answer our questions. We want to get to the bottom of this," said Burton.

Burton expressed disdain at all the last-minute Clinton pardons.

Democrats: Only for the Rich

"The appearances that are being created here are obvious: If you have friends in high places, you can get around the law. It makes it look like we have one system of justice for the rich and powerful and another system of justice for all the rest of us," said Burton.

Burton also called Clinton's waiving of executive privilege so that his former aides could testify before the committee a "positive step."

"We had a problem with the Clinton library. They didn't want to comply with our subpoena for information on their donors. We have made a great deal of progress on this issue in the last two days and we're very close to resolving it. The lawyers for the library have committed to bring us more information tomorrow [Friday]. I appreciate the fact that the lawyers for the library have worked with us to resolve this," Burton said.

But despite progress on some fronts, Burton said the committee still had problems in its pardon investigation.

"We wrote to Roger Clinton. We asked him to provide us with some basic information about who he tried to help get pardons. We asked him how much money he received, if any. He has not responded. We wrote to the lawyer for Glenn Braswell. His name is Kendall Coffey. We asked him for some very basic information. He hasn't responded," Burton said.

Waxman used his opening statement to respond to criticism from what he called "anti-Clinton viewers" and "Democrats" that criticized his stand on the Clinton pardons.

"Issuing pardons is one of the most profound powers given to the president. At a minimum, the decision-making process must be careful and above reproach. It's clear that President Clinton's efforts weren't. Although the president's pardon power is absolute, it is not above the law. To this point, I see no evidence that the president broke any law. I've seen a lot of evidence of bad judgment, but not illegality," said Waxman.

Waxman said that "the combination of revelations ranging from the Marc Rich and New Square pardons to the role Hugh Rodham played in the pardon process are disturbing, and they raise serious questions about the president's judgment. Mr. Clinton's failure to exercise sound judgment affected one of the most important duties of the presidency. Bad judgment is obviously not impeachable. But the failures in the pardon process should embarrass every Democrat and every American."

Waxman believes the U.S. attorney's office in New York City should "fully, quickly and impartially" investigate the Rich pardon. Waxman said that office was investigating, and its findings should resolve any illegality questions.

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Pardongate
Clinton Scandals

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