Clinton in Real Video: "Good times for America" (1'01")

President Clinton has spoken of good times for America in his annual State of the Union address to Congress.

In a speech dominated by welfare and education issues, Mr Clinton avoided any mention of the sexual scandal engulfing his presidency.

Hillary: Watching from the sidelines

As viewers across America and the world watched the President for the telltale signs of stress, he appeared confident and calm but a little tired.

He entered the chamber to cheers from senators and congressman who have recently returned from seasonal recess.

In one of his most important political speeches he concentrated on plans for the year ahead in an effort to divert attention from scandal that has overshadowed his policy efforts.

BBC Washington Correspondent Stephen Sackur: "Not a dynamic performance" (1'07")

In his opening, Mr Clinton said times were good for America, with its leadership in the world unrivalled and good economic news at home.

He advocated fiscal responsibility and said he planned to balance the budget in 1999 for the first time in 30 years.

He urged that a projected budget surplus of more than $200m be used to rescue the Social Security system.

Mr Clinton foreshadowed new investments and new tax cuts targeted at the needs of working families. But he urged members of Congress to approve only those priorities that could be accomplished without adding anything to the national deficit.

Clinton: Backed by Hillary

He spoke of a host of domestic issues including increasing the minimum wage, hiring 100,000 new public school teachers, and passing tobacco legislation that would raise the price of cigarettes by $1.50 a pack over 10 years.

"Our leadership in the world is unrivaled. The state of our union is strong," he said.

He asked congress approve Nato enlargement, extend the US peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, pay the US debt to the United Nations and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

The BBC's Andy Bell on Capitol Hill gauges public reaction (3' 25")

While they listened to the speech, many viewers will have considered whether they believe the President when he says that he did not have a sexual relationship with a former White House aide or tell her to lie about it.

Hillary defends Bill

Starr: "Credible evidence of serious crimes"

Hillary Clinton may have helped sway public opinion. She put up a strong defence of her husband when she appeared on American television on Tuesday morning.

She denied again that there had been any sexual relations between Bill Clinton and the former White House assistant, Monica Lewinsky.

The truth "will come out" she said. The best thing to do at present is "be patient and take a deep breath".

She accused Kenneth Starr, the independent prosecutor investigating the allegations of a sexual relationship, of conducting a smear campaign against her husband.

"I do believe that this is a battle. The great story here is a vast right-wing conspiracy who have been conspiring against my husband since he first ran for office."

But Mr Starr has dismissed as nonsense Hillary Clinton's claim that he is part of a right-wing conspiracy.

He said he had credible evidence of serious crimes and that the investigation was being carried out by highly experienced federal prosecutors.

Ms Lewinsky's lawyer William Ginsburg is still waiting for a response from Mr Starr's office over her offer to tell everything she knows about her relationship with the President in return for immunity from prosecution.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©