(2 Feb 1999) English/Nat
House prosecutors and Clinton attorneys have wrapped up the deposition of Clinton's friend, Vernon Jordan.
Republican Senator, Fred Thompson, one of two senators who oversaw the question- and-answer session, says the actual questioning took less than three hours.
Clinton aide Sidney Blumenthal, the last of the three subpoenaed witnesses, will be questioned on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Senators spent the day watching Monica Lewinsky's deposition on videotape.
Vernon Jordan was questioned by House prosecutors in a secure area of the Capitol, in a room normally used by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
House manager Asa Hutchinson was the prosecution's main questioner.
Three White House lawyers were also present.
Clinton's lawyers chose not to ask Monica Lewinsky any questions during Monday's deposition.
It is not known whether they chose the same path today.
As the question and answer session wrapped up, those present refused to elaborate on any progress that might have been made.
SOUNDBITE:
"It was three hours and and we've all made an agreement that there will be no statements or comments at all about this, the house managers have agreed as well and we will have the third and final deposition tomorrow."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat, Connecticut
Today marked the first time Jordan has testified since Monica Lewinsky began cooperating with Independent Counsel, Kenneth Starr.
Prosecutors were expected to focus their questions on some of the discrepancies that emerged between his grand jury testimony last year and Lewinsky's.
Meanwhile, in other closed rooms of the Capitol, Senators got their first glimpse of Lewinsky's videotaped deposition.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"She appeared to me to be young vulnerable and credible, and she would make an excellent live witness, there's no doubt about it and I think the American people should be given that opportunity, they should make up their own minds about, it would give them a chance to make up their own minds about this whole matter."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Orrin Hatch, Republican, Utah
Other Senate Republicans admit there was little new in Lewinsky's testimony, and they say little will be gained by calling her to provide live testimony.
Still, Idaho Republican Larry Craig says it certainly didn't hurt.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If the tape were to be viewed on the floor of the United States Senate no way would it offend the sensibility of the American people or would it in any way damage the Senate, she is bright and articulate. "
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Larry Craig, Republican, Idaho
The Senate will decide on Thursday whether any live witnesses are necessary, or whether the videotaped depositions should be made public.
Clinton, meanwhile, is staying far away from the impeachment debacle.
The president flew up to Boston on Tuesday morning to outline a U-S 200 (m) million dollar plan help America's troubled schools.
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