From: Ann Curley/CNN Capitol Hill Producer
In: Washington
Posted 10-30-97

Subject: Burton Says Hearings Set For Next Week on White House Subpoena Compliance

House Government Reform and Oversight Committee Chairman Dan Burton (R-Ind.) announced his committee will hold more fund-raising hearings next Thursday and Friday on whether the White House has properly complied with committee requests and subpoenas for the investigation into campaign contributions.

Burton praised Attorney General Janet Reno's invitation to the Chinese justice minister to discuss cooperation in the House campaign finance hearings.

"I look forward to constructive discussions between Attorney General Reno and [the] Chinese Minister of Justice," Burton said in a written statement. "I also interpret this proactive step by the U.S. Justice Department as a good sign that Attorney General Reno is willing to join our efforts in finding out what federal election laws were violated during the 1996 election cycle.

"It is very important that Attorney General Reno press for the return of Charlie Trie so that he can testify before the committee and the Grand Jury," Burton said.

Trie solicited many of the campaign contributions from the Asian community that have now become the subject of the campaign finance investigations in the House and Senate.

Although the witness lists for next week's hearings remain a mystery, a committee spokeswoman said that "it would be an accurate assumption that some of the witnesses will be White House employees."

In his statement, Burton berates the White House for its delays in turning over videotapes of fund-raising events, saying, "It is our responsibility to question whether this was a gross oversight by White House staff or a deliberate attempt to stonewall a congressional investigation."

In Other News:

Thursday Oct. 30, 1997

• Lobbyist Says Babbitt Talked About Campaign Contributions
• Jiang Visits With Capitol Hill Lawmakers
• Babbitt Allegations Trigger Independent Counsel Law
• Reno To Question Chinese Offical About Fund-Raising

Poll:
• Clinton, Gore Approval Ratings Move Up

E-mail From Washington:
• Deal Struck To Debate Campaign Reform Again
• House Fund-Raising Hearings To Resume Next Week
• White House Cautiously Optimistic On Fast Track