Democrats Under Fire Return More Campaign Donations -- Dec. 2, 1996

A Letter From Riady To Clinton -- Dec. 2, 1996

Reporters Lap Up Lippo Papers; Hill Steams

By Bob Franken/CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN, Dec. 3) -- The White House late Tuesday made available to reporters letters between the White House and an Indonesian conglomerate under scrutiny for its questionable campaign contributions.

This brought on an angry response from congressional Republicans who say the White House has not been forthcoming about what it knows about the Asian connection.

Late today, House Rules Committee chairman Gerald Solomon fired off a statement: "Once again the White House continues its pattern of treating Congress with contempt by stonewalling and releasing embarrassing information first to the press as part of its spin control."

Solomon went on to say he found it "offensive." "The White House is now in no position to complain of increased congressional scrutiny," he stormed. "In fact, they can count on it."

The White House was expected to turn over the letters to Hill Republicans later this evening. Tuesday's release of letters is the latest episode in the ongoing controversy over President Bill Clinton's association with the Lippo Group.