USA: IMPEACHMENT: CLINTON CALLS FOR CONCILIATION - UPDATE

Politixia
Published on Feb 6, 2020
English/Nat
U-S President Bill Clinton says his impeachment acquittal should begin a time of reconciliation and renewal for America.
In the Rose Garden of the White House on Friday, Clinton again apologised for the Monica Lewinsky affair and his deceptions.
The acquittal allows Clinton to conclude the last two years of his term in office.
Clinton said he was humbled and grateful for the support he had received from (m) millions of Americans over the past year.
Two hours after the historic vote in the Senate, U-S President Bill Clinton gave his response the impeachment acquittal in the Rose Garden of the White House.
The president once again apologised for the Monica Lewinsky affair and his deceptions.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I want to say again to the American people how profoundly sorry I am for what I said and did to trigger these events, and the great burden they have imposed on the Congress and the American people. Now I ask all Americans, and I hope all Americans here in Washington and throughout our land will rededicate ourselves to the work of serving our nation and building our future. This can be and this must be a time of reconciliation and renewal for America. (Q In your heart, sir, can you forgive and forget?) I believe any person who asks for forgiveness has to be prepared to give it."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President
The Senate voted 55-45 against conviction for perjury and 50-50 against for obstruction of justice.
It would have taken 67 votes to convict Clinton and expel him from office.
His brief and sober statement on his acquittal was in contrast to the scene two months ago after the House voted to impeach him.
According to White House spokesman Joe Lockhart, Clinton did not watch the voting in the Senate.
He said the president was exercising and working on the public statement he would make after the conclusion of the trial.
Lockhart said Chief of Staff, John Podesta, called after each vote to tell Clinton the result.
The White House spokesman denied that the president felt the vote vindicated his actions.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think I'm going to avoid using words like that, that can mean many things to many people. I think the president expressed to you the responsibility he takes for the action, for his actions. And I think the lawyers did a very credible job of presenting the legal case, and it prevailed."
SUPER CAPTION: Joe Lockhart, White House spokesman
Clinton now plans to move on to his national agenda and working on repairing his relationship with Congress.

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