ATLANTA/LITTLE ROCK/WASHINGTON, DC - Ken Reeves, Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct Chairman, late today conveyed a stunning message to SLF attorneys - the Committee has denied President Clinton's request to postpone disbarment proceedings and grants an extension to the President until April 21, 2000 to respond in full.

In a letter conveyed by facsimile at 5:39 pm EST to L. Lynn Hogue, the SLF attorney licensed in Arkansas and who filed the initial ethics complaint against Clinton in September 1998, Chairman Reeves refused to address Clinton attorney David Kendall's request for an extension of the legal ethics proceedings until one month after Clinton leaves office. Instead, Reeves granted a one-month extension until April 21st, at which time the President's counsel must respond to the two (2) outstanding formal ethics complaints issued by the Committee.

"We applaud the adherence to the rules and the speed with which the Committee has determined a 'reasonable' extension leading to a 'prompt and efficient' resolution of this matter," said Matthew J. Glavin, SLF President. "The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind of legal activity, precipitated by the brinksmanship of Clinton's attorney, David Kendall. The Committee has closed the door on Kendall's outrageous request, and we look forward to a prompt resolution of this matter in April."

Earlier today, SLF released a statement calling on the Committee to proceed with issuance of ballots used by Committee members to determine judgment. Glavin says that "the Committee has done the prudent thing under the current circumstances," pointing out that the Arkansas rules would have compelled Committee Executive Director James Neal to move forward after failing to grant an extension in the first 30-day response period.

"We are prepared to wait patiently with a cautious eye on the Committee's proceedings and allow them to do their legal duty after April 21," said Glavin. "Whether the President defends himself against the already-proven facts of lying under oath and obstruction of justice, or whether he simply surrenders his law license and saves the nation, his state, and himself the humiliation, is the next big question."

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