1.   The conditions in which an independent counsel would be appointed were laid down in legislation passed after the Watergate scandal.

2.   Also at the hearing, the senators queried the special three-judge panel that has the job of appointing independent counsels.

3.   Although he refused to discuss the details, LaBella confirmed that he had recommended an independent counsel be appointed.

4.   A panel of federal judges appoints the counsel.

5.   After reviewing the case for three months, Reno faces a Monday deadline to decide whether to request that an independent counsel be appointed.

6.   But the law lays down that independent counsels must be appointed whenever there is specific and credible evidence that a senior government official has committed a felony.

7.   First, almost all independent counsels were appointed after press stories and political agitation that were hyped beyond the facts.

8.   Former Clinton administration White House Counsel Abner Mikva complained that once independent counsels are appointed, there are virtually no limits to what they can investigate.

9.   Four independent counsels have been appointed at her recommendation.

10.   He added that even if a counsel were appointed, he would not resign.