Sen Trent Lott is proposing a fast-track trial against President Clinton

Mr Lott suggested that President Clinton's impeachment trial be cut short unless an early, preliminary vote finds that a two-thirds majority wants to proceed. The trial could be as short as three days.

Mr Lott and his Democratic counterpart, Tom Daschle of South Dakota, have agreed that if the vote failed, they would present a plan that would permit censure, according to a Senate leadership source.

Opposition from within the ranks

Mr Lott's proposal has elicited public criticism from House Republicans, including the head of the 13 Representatives preparing to argue the case before the Senate.

Lead House prosecutor Rep Henry Hyde wrote to Mr Lott Wednesday urging him not to "sacrifice substance and duty for speed'' nor "unwisely short-circuit'' a trial.

By requiring a two-thirds majority to endorse continuing with the trial, Mr Hyde said that Mr Lott would be giving "one-third of the Senate the power to decide whether there will be any airing of the evidence.''

Both Mr Lott and Mr Hyde appear to agree that the trial need not be long. Mr Hyde suggested a "trial should not be lengthy.''

Three-way plea deal

Kenneth Starr has not ruled out role in censure deal

In talks about a possible censure deal, some key figures have suggested a three-way deal in which Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr would agree not to prosecute Clinton if the president admitted making false statements in his testimony.

Two friends of Mr Starr have said that the prosecutor has not ruled out entering such a deal. Mr Starr has not been contacted to being negotiations on a deal, the sources said.