The impeachment trial of President Clinton could start on January 11th and end within two weeks, according to its organisers, the Senate Republican majority leader, Mr Trent Lott of Mississippi, and the Democrats' minority leader, Tom Daschle of South Dakota, Sean Cronin writes from Washington.
They also say it might not be necessary to call witnesses, although there is a strong view in favour of doing so among Republicans, some of whom would also favour dragging out the impeachment process for as long as possible.
Senator Lott wants a vote of the Senate on whether to convict the President before considering censure. The 13 House Republicans, who will put the case to the 100-member Senate, want to call witnesses. These could include Ms Monica Lewinsky, whose relationship with the President is a point of contention in the hearing; the presidential secretary, Ms Betty Currie; and the President's friend and confidant, the lawyer Mr Vernon Jordan.
The new Senate assembles on January 6th after the Christmas vacation. Republicans wish to keep the publicity machine running against Mr Clinton. Democrats would like to drop the whole thing, which is impossible. Many of them regard the calling of witnesses like Ms Lewinsky as a gratuitous attempt to further embarrass the President and their party.
Leaders of both parties agree on "an expeditious trial," although some Republican members may drag it out so as to get maximum publicity which, they believe, will reflect badly on the Democrats. The White House is saying little one way or the other about the plans of the House and Senate managers. Its press secretary, Mr Joe Lockhart, confines himself to the comment: "We'll be talking to the Senate, not the House. We favour a bipartisan process that will bring closure fairly and expeditiously."