`THE PRESIDENT HAS NEVER DONE COCAINE'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Responding to renewed media interest in past drug
use by politicians, the White House said Tuesday that President
Clinton never used cocaine.

"The president has never done cocaine," said Jim Kennedy, spokesman
for the White House counsel's office. "That applies to his entire life."

The question arose after Gennifer Flowers, who claimed to have had a
long-term liaison with Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas,
alleged in an interview with Fox News Channel that Clinton told her he
had used the illegal drug.

Kennedy said Tuesday that he had not spoken directly with Clinton
about the question. White House press secretary Joe Lockhart backed up
Kennedy's comments.

"I have spoken to (the president) about these stories," Lockhart said.
"I know the statements by Mr. Kennedy are both authorized and accurate."

Texas Gov. George W. Bush's presidential campaign has been dogged by
questions over whether he used drugs when he was a young man.

Lockhart noted that the question about Clinton first arose during the
1992 campaign, when Clinton admitted he had tried marijuana but said
he didn't inhale. At that time, Clinton's top aide in the governor's
office denied that Clinton had used cocaine.

"The president addressed this issue in the 1992 campaign," Lockhart
said. "It hasn't changed. Mr. Kennedy's remarks are accurate."