|
|
 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Author: Lewinsky remains terrified of StarrClinton didn't watch televised interview
March 4, 1999 WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 4) -- Ex-presidential paramour Monica Lewinsky remains extremely fearful of Independent Counsel Ken Starr and his investigators, her biographer said Thursday. "She's absolutely terrified of him," author Andrew Morton said on NBC's "Today" show. "He's Big Brother." Morton, who interviewed Lewinsky at length for the new book, said when Lewinsky talked to him about Starr's team, there was "a flinch of fear" in her voice. 
In her first TV interview on ABC Wednesday night, Lewinsky declined to discuss her feelings about Starr or her treatment at the hands of the Office of Independent Counsel. But the immunity agreement that restricted her contacts with the news media did not cover her conversations with author Morton. In the book, entitled "Monica's Story," Lewinsky says Starr's office was "sick" for asking so many detailed questions about her sexual encounters with President Bill Clinton and she accuses investigators of engaging in "dubious tactics" trying to force her to cooperate with their investigation of Clinton. Clinton, accused of perjury and obstruction of justice in Starr's report to Congress, was impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate last month. White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart said Clinton did not watch Barbara Walters' TV interview with Lewinsky. Lockhart said he also doubted the president would watch a videotape of it. Clinton was returning from a fund-raising trip to New Jersey when the broadcast aired. Lockhart described the president's 37-minute delay at Andrews Air Force Base as time spent with the New Jersey congressional delegation discussing issues, and not watching the interview. Lockhart said the president was not "isolated" from the interview, but from what he had heard, "There was nothing that hasn't been reported." Ex-Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos said so much already has emerged in the yearlong scandal that administration officials probably doubt there will be any impact. "They think this can't do any more damage," Stephanopoulos said on ABC's "Good Morning America." Morton said he believes Lewinsky was victimized by Starr's office, but she is not a victim. "She's a smart girl who's made stupid choices," Morton said. Asked what people could possibly learn from the book after a year of voluminous news coverage, Morton said Lewinsky is the "primary witness" in a historical drama who is speaking fully for the first time. "In many respects, this is just the start," Morton said. The chapter about the Starr team's first contact with Lewinsky on January 16, 1998 at a suburban Washington hotel is entitled "Terror in Room 1012." Why that title? "Because she was terrorized," Morton said. "I mean she felt like committing suicide within three hours. She was actually considering whether to throw herself out of the 10th floor window into the Pentagon Mall below. She was intimidated." Morton said Starr deputy Jackie Bennett "treated Monica like a pit bull would treat a kitten." Bennett had no immediate comment on the book. One reason Lewinsky has such strong feelings about Starr is that she blames him for breaking her mother's spirit, Morton said. At one point during the grand jury proceedings, Lewinsky's mother became distraught over the harsh questioning. "She detests him for what he has done to her mother," Morton said. Morton said Lewinsky's relationship with Clinton was "a mutual obsession," not the product of a predatory woman who set her sights on the president. In the book, Lewinsky also is critical of her first attorney, the publicity-hungry Bill Ginsburg. Ginsburg said he has not read the book and has no intention of doing so, but he is aware that she said some unkind things about him. "She has to blame someone for all of her troubles and problems and I am as good a target as anyone," Ginsburg told CNN. |
|
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MORE STORIES:Thursday, March 4, 1999
• New director for Secret Service • Clinton raises money for Sen. Torricelli, ignores Lewinsky interview • Senate focuses on 'Ed-Flex' bill • Starr had copy of Lewinsky's affidavit before filing • GOP congressional leaders agree to budget framework • U.S. House wants Sam Rayburn library to return historic items • Justice: No White House pressure on independent counsel law • Judge rejects Whitewater figure's bid to delay trial • CBO enters Social Security fight • New rule ends Senate's secret holds • Medical marijuana bill introduced • Interior Department marks 150 years
Election 2000:
Lewinsky interview: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
