Clinton Aides Say He’ll Signal Sexual Affair

President Clinton will acknowledge an “inappropriate relationship” with former White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky when he answers to a grand jury Monday, two advisors said late Saturday. For the first time, the president signaled that he had a sexual relationship with her, these advisors said.

The advisors, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Clinton had let his lawyers and aides know that he had a sexual relationship with the former White House intern. “He may not have used the word ‘sex,’ but he has finally broken through that barrier,” said one of the advisors.

The second advisor, a longtime confidant, said the president had already disclosed the relationship to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, even as he steadfastly denied the relationship publicly.

The advisors cautioned that the president could still change his strategy before his testimony.

The advisors, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Clinton still intends to tell the grand jury only that he had an “inappropriate” or “improper” relationship, insisting that further details should remain private. But his lawyers expect that Clinton will be forced to tell the grand jury he had sex with Lewinsky, the sources said.

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If Clinton makes a public statement, he will likely admit to an inappropriate relationship or encounters but go no further, said the sources.

Clinton’s lawyers worried that any sort of concession to a relationship with the former White House intern would increase the president’s legal jeopardy.

Advisors say the language of a possible explanation of the relationship was being discussed. Indeed, there was concern about using the word “improper” because Clinton specifically told reporters in January he did not have an improper relationship; some advisors have suggested the word “inappropriate.”

Rahm Emanuel, a top White House aide, refused to speculate about Clinton’s intentions late Saturday night.