81.   Law enforcement officials said that the likely decision to extend the inquiry did not mean that Reno would refer to case to an independent prosecutor.

82.   Legally, Justice Department officials said, Reno remains on solid ground in refusing to seek the appointment of an independent prosecutor.

83.   Lewinsky also gives her opinions of Hillary Clinton and independent prosecutor Kenneth W. Starr, though again Walters declined to be specific.

84.   Lieberman said he has decided that it is premature to consider censure or any other kind of legislative action before independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr releases his report to Congress.

85.   Last fall, La Bella had urged her to seek the appointment of an independent prosecutor to investigate fund-raising telephone calls by Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

86.   Law enforcement officials said that they had advised Reno against appointing an independent prosecutor on grounds that they could bring no case based on departmental prosecution policies.

87.   Many countries, now including France, recognize the need for an independent prosecutor who can decide that alleged crimes in, say, Iraq or Kosovo need investigating.

88.   Ms. Reno has yet to decide whether a fourth independent prosecutor is needed.

89.   Ms. Reno filed her application for an independent prosecutor Monday to a special three-judge panel of federal appeals court judges.

90.   Ms. Reno said that Justice Department lawyers had decided that none of the issues raised by Hatch necessitated the appointment of an independent prosecutor.