Subject: White House Says Bowles' Departure Not Imminent

Despite reports that White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles was upset by his recent Whitewater grand jury appearance, the White House says Bowles is not expected to leave his post any time soon.

Reporters asked White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry if Bowles soon might return to private life in North Carolina, now that a balanced budget agreement has been reached with congressional leaders.

McCurry said Bowles has made it clear he eventually wants to return to private life, "but he has a job to do and he is very satisfied with the role he's been able to play in reaching the framework of a historic balanced budget agreement. But there is a lot of work ahead on that front."

As to when Bowles will decide his work is done and will leave the administration, McCurry said, "Erskine Bowles is someone who has an exquisite sense of timing and an exquisite sense of duty." McCurry said to his knowledge, Bowles' departure is not imminent.

Bowles replaced Leon Panetta as chief of staff at the beginning of President Bill Clinton's second term.