WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, November 24) -- In addition to a 20-page letter to the court explaining her decision on Vice President Al Gore, Attorney General Janet Reno issued the following written statement Tuesday:

"During the past ninety days we have vigorously pursued an investigation to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation into whether the Vice President may have knowingly made false statements to investigators in 1997. As our court filing demonstrates, I have found that there are no reasonable grounds for further investigation.

"Today's determination does not mean that our work has ended. We will continue to vigorously investigate all allegations of illegal activity.

"In fact, for more than two years, the Justice Department's 120-member Campaign Financing Task Force has been investigating allegations of wrongdoing surrounding the 1996 elections. Task Force members have obtained more than a million pages of documents, conducted hundreds of interviews, and traveled across the country and around the world tracking down leads. Their work is paying off -- already 14 people have been charged.

"As I have said before, I base my decisions solely on the facts and the law, not politics, pressure or polls. Since I have become Attorney General, I have referred matters to independent counsels on ten separate occasions. And I will not hesitate to seek another one if the situation warrants. But that decision will be mine to make, and I will do so only if the law requires it."

Tuesday, November 24, 1998

• Democratic fund-raiser gets probation, fine
• Judge throws out 8 1/2 counts against Espy
• Pardon, not censure, for turkey at the White House
• Sources: GOP head count shows impeachment one vote ahead
• No independent counsel for Gore
• Reno's statement on Gore decision
• McDougal jubilant after jury finds her not guilty
• Starr: dealing with Tripp flawed
• Sen. Hagel eyes GOP campaign post
• Congressman makes Chicago mayoral bid
• Low-key Clyburn can be aggressive
• Friend says opponent confessed to killing state senator
• Government said to lag in Y2K fix

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