James A. Leach: “there are many elements of the so-called Whitewater affair that are a bit esoteric. But the revelations of the past few…”

“there are many elements of the so-called Whitewater affair that are a bit esoteric. But the revelations of the past few days that officials of the Department of the Treasury and Resolution Trust Corporation briefed key White House aides on potential legal action which independent regulatory agencies might be obligated to take against the President and First Lady subvert one of the fundamental premises of American democracy--that this is a country of laws and not men. In America, process is our most important product. No individual, whatever his or her rank, is privileged in the eyes of the law. No public official has the right to influence possible legal actions against him or herself. For this reason agencies of the Government as well as the White House have precise rules that govern their employees. Let me cite, in particular, the following Department of Treasury standard which appears patently to be violated. Under "Rules of Conduct," 31 CFR, section 0.735-30 states: An employee should avoid any action * * * which might result in, or create the appearance of * * * (2) Giving preferential treatment to any person; * * * (4) Losing complete independence or impartiality; (5) Making a Government decision outside official channels; or (6) Affecting adversely the confidence of the public in the integrity of the Government.”