US 'e-government' promise

Clinton's traditional address was broadcast via the internet

United States President Bill Clinton has broadcast his weekly address to the nation via the internet for the first time.

Appropriately, Mr Clinton used this pioneering webcast to announce plans for a new government website that will allow people to search all US government documents from one entry point.

Firstgov will serve as a single point of entry to one of the largest, perhaps the most useful, collection of Web pages in the world

President Clinton

A free portal, it will give internet users immediate access to US government information and services that are currently spread over 20,000 different websites.

Mr Clinton said his administration was also looking for additional ideas for advancing "e-government" and was offering a $50,000 prize for the most innovative idea.

The new site, named firstgov.gov, should go online in the autumn, the president said.

90-day promise

"In the spirit of cutting through red tape, this new website will be created in 90 days or less. It will uphold the highest standards for protecting the privacy of its users."

According to the White House, it will be able to search 500 million documents in less than one-quarter of a second and will have the ability to handle at least 100 million searches a day.

"When it's complete, firstgov will serve as a single point of entry to one of the largest, perhaps the most useful, collection of web pages in the entire world," Mr Clinton said.

By using the site, Americans will be able to track their Social Security benefits, find a fuel-efficient car, buy a home, learn how to invest wisely, check for flight delays and learn food safety tips among other things.

Individuals and small businesses will also have access to information about $500bn available in government grants.

It is all part of an effort to create a "high-speed, high-tech, user-friendly government", Mr Clinton said.

Firstgov.gov should go online in the autumn and will be maintained by private sources.

It is unclear whether Mr Clinton will make the webcast a regular event, like his weekly radio address.