Clinton

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 31) -- President Bill Clinton was expected to answer at least some questions Friday about his upcoming testimony in the Monica Lewinsky investigation. Meanwhile, prosecutors are having the FBI test one of Lewinsky's dresses, a key piece of evidence in the final weeks of an investigation into alleged presidential perjury and obstruction.

Sources familiar with the case say the dress will be tested to see whether it contains a stain that would corroborate Lewinsky's account of a sexual relationship with the president. Clinton denies that such a relationship occurred.

According to a source knowledgeable about the process, here's what may happen next:

• Within 24 of initial testing, the FBI test should be able to determine if the stain contains genetic material.

• It would take another 48 hours to determine if there's enough genetic material to conduct a more complex DNA test that could link the stain to a specific person.

• If the answer is yes, it still could take an additional one to two weeks to determine whose DNA it might be. That would require getting Clinton to provide a hair, saliva or blood sample, either voluntarily or with a court order.

The president was to make an appearance at the White House Rose Garden on Friday to discuss new economic figures. White House officials have hinted he'll take a question or two from reporters who are likely to ask about the Lewinsky case.

Lewinsky

Sources who know the details of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's immunity agreement with Lewinsky say the former White House intern and employee turned over the dress to Starr's staff on Wednesday when she visited her lawyers' office.

But Lewinsky's lawyers and Starr issued a joint statement Thursday denying they told reporters Lewinsky had provided prosecutors with the stained dress.

Lewinsky and her lawyers spent additional time Thursday with members of Starr's staff preparing for her upcoming grand jury testimony.

The dress, along with the pending testimony of Lewinsky, the president and others, are likely the last matters in the evidence phase of the Starr's Lewinsky investigation.

Then, Starr must decide what he should report to the House about potentially impeachable offenses.

Lewinsky is expected to begin giving her testimony next week, sources say. Her appearances are expected to last for several days, while Clinton's videotaped testimony will be completed in one day, August 17.

Starr is investigating whether Lewinsky, 25, and Clinton lied in the Paula Jones sexual harassment suit against the president when they denied an affair and whether Clinton asked her to lie about it.

Also under investigation is whether the president and others tried to obstruct the probe.

White House Correspondents Wolf Blitzer and John King contributed to this report.