By Brian Skoloff
Associated Press
Feb. 1, 2003

LITTLE ROCK - Former President Clinton has waived his right to restrict access to most records of confidential advice during his administration, opening the path for historians to more quickly study key decisions in the Clinton White House.

However, Clinton will not waive attorney-client privilege over personal issues such as Whitewater and the Monica Lewinsky-Paula Jones investigations.

The records to be released include exchanges among top advisers, staff counsel given directly to Clinton and advice from non-staff members regarding domestic policy and appointments. Clinton would like the records released before his presidential library opens at Little Rock next year.

Under the Presidential Records Act, which took effect in 1981, former presidents can withhold the release of records for at least five years and up to 12 years under certain criteria and sometimes even longer if the documents are a matter of national security. Former Presidents Reagan and Bush have withheld most of their confidential advice documents under the 12-year exemption.

Nancy Kegan Smith, National Archives, said it appears that "more confidential advice" from the Clinton administration will be open earlier than any other modern president.

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