
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 4, 1994                   TAG: 9401040108
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From the Associated Press and the Baltimore Sun
DATELINE: BEAVERTON, ORE.                                LENGTH: Medium

PACKWOOD'S WOES FOLLOW HIM HOME

Sen. Bob Packwood tried but failed to keep the talk away from sexual misconduct and his legal problems Monday, as he made his first public appearance in Oregon in five months.

He stalked out of a news conference, saying, "See you later, folks," after he was asked once if he planned to resign and twice about where he lives. The five-term incumbent no longer maintains a residence in Oregon.

"The first three questions weren't germane, so he's out of here," said Packwood aide Matt Evans.

The Justice Department and the Senate Ethics Committee are investigating whether Packwood improperly used his office to try to arrange jobs for his wife. Packwood's personal diaries are in the custody of a federal court while the Oregon Republican fights subpoenas for them by the Senate and the Justice Department.

More than two dozen women also have accused Packwood of making unwanted sexual advances to them over the years. Packwood said he was wrong to pressure women employees and associates with unwelcome advances. "I just didn't get it. I do now," he said in a December 1992 apology.

Packwood spoke at a luncheon on health care reform, then held an impromptu news conference at which his aides asked that questions be limited to health care.

The first two questions dealt with his residence and the third was about whether he planned to resign. He has denied breaking any laws and said he has no intention of resigning.

Packwood said last year he sold the mobile home that was his Oregon residence. The law does not require that he have a legal residence in Oregon to represent the state in the Senate. However, he would have to establish a legal residence if he were to run for a sixth term in 1998.

In another development, the Clinton administration is urging the Supreme Court to rule that the Constitution's Fifth Amendment no longer provides any privacy for personal diaries - a position that could undercut one of the Packwood's key claims.

After taking extra time to make up its mind on a major criminal law issue, the administration decided to take the strongest position against the Fifth Amendment as a legal shield for a diary.

The legal document spelling out that position was filed by the Justice Department at the court late last week, in a case different from Packwood's, and was made public Monday.

by CNB