Clinton8217;s tactical move to protect aides

Rather, the legal team will now seek to limit questioning by claiming attorney-client privilege that covers confidential legal conversations.

The move is aimed at foiling last week8217;s decision by special prosecutor Kenneth Starr.

Starr sought to speed up his probe by taking the case straight to the Supreme Court after Clinton appealed a federal judge8217;s ruling that he could not claim the rarely-used presidential 8220;executive privilege.8221;

Expediting the high court hearing sidesteps a lengthy appeal process and would have put the case that exploded on January 21 on a faster track.

The White House ploy couldforce testimony from Clinton8217;s two closest aides about the alleged 18-month sexual relationship with Lewinsky, who began working at the White House in 1995 when she was 21.

Clinton had invoked executive privilege to prevent deputy White House counsel Bruce Lindsey and senior communications adviser Sidney Blumenthal from testifying.

But Clinton8217;s lawyers are now arguing that protections for attorney-client relationships should shield confidential dealings with the advisers.And they dismissed suggestions the legal tack amounted to stonewalling.8220;We8217;ve asked for expedition. Who knows whether there is anything left at the end of the process that will even be worth review,8221; said Clinton8217;s lawyer Charles Ruff, who issued Monday8217;s 16-page brief.

The White House has insisted that much of the information Starr is seeking is irrelevant to the case.

The Justice Department, meanwhile, was set to decide on Monday whether to appeal a ruling forcing testimony from Secret Service agents who protect thePresident.

Clinton has warned that such a precedent could threaten his security and that of his successors.

Both Clinton and Lewinsky have denied the affair under oath, but the former intern was secretly taped talking about it over the telephone to a co-worker.

Starr, who obtained the tapes, has threatened to charge Lewinsky with perjury. So far, her attorney has unsuccessfully negotiated to win Lewinsky immunity from prosecution in return for evidence in the case.

Clinton has been accused of attempting to cover up the affair 8212; an impeachable offence 8212; and of having his close friend, Vernon Jordan, help get her a job to silence her.

Earlier, a White House spokesman denied a report that Clinton will refuse to testify in the case. McCurry said no decision has been made. But Ruff insisted that Clinton has said all he has to say on the matter.