Across the Nation

Oil prices remain unaffected after action

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Gasoline prices remained steady over the past two weeks, with no immediate impact from President Clinton's decision to tap 30 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles, an analyst said yesterday.

The Lundberg Survey of 10,000 stations nationwide found that the average price of all grades, plus taxes, was $1.62 per gallon Friday. It was a tenth of a cent per gallon lower than prices the survey found two weeks ago, but 28 cents per gallon higher than for the same period a year ago.

Analyst Trilby Lundberg said yesterday that prices likely wouldn't drop to 1999 levels any time soon.

Clinton's announcement Friday may have had some "psychological effect" on retail prices, but the oil won't hit the market until next month, Lundberg said.

Rising energy costs are becoming an issue in the presidential campaign as winter heating bills are expected to be as much as 50 percent higher than last year's. Crude oil is selling for more than $34 per barrel, a 10-year high.

The end of the summer driving season often means lower gasoline prices as demand dips and refineries convert more of their oil to heating fuel. But costlier crude oil is keeping gas prices high.

Lundberg said it is hard to predict the price impact of the government's oil release, especially since weather and other factors play a role in demand.

Lazio, Clinton agree to ban soft money

NEW YORK - It's a historic development in the most-watched Senate race in the United States: Hillary Rodham Clinton and her Republican opponent, Rep. Rick Lazio, have banned advertisements that are funded from outside their individual campaigns.

The ban applies to so-called "soft-money" ads.

Soft money refers to unlimited funds collected by political parties, rather than the individual candidates. While hard money contributions, limited to $2,000 per donor, can be used for ads that advocate voting for or against a candidate, soft money can only be used to advocate an issue, boost a candidate or attack a candidate, rather than stating, "Vote for so-and-so."

Yesterday, as both sides jostled to take credit for the accord, watchdog groups cheered - but also expressed skepticism. "We've never had two candidates agree not to spend money that they could have had," said Larry Makinson of the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C. "I'm surprised. And like the campaigns themselves, I'm a little wary that it will stick."

The two campaigns reached a deal late Saturday that prohibits the political parties endorsing them from airing TV and radio ads boosting their candidates or attacking their opponents.

Ray: President's fate to come in January

WASHINGTON - Independent Counsel Robert Ray, said yesterday a decision on prosecuting President Clinton for his conduct in the Monica Lewinsky scandal will come "very shortly" after Clinton leaves the White House in January.

"I think the public would like me to wrap up this investigation, but that doesn't mean walk away from the responsibilities I have," Ray said on CNN's "Late Edition."

"That decision will be rendered shortly, very shortly after the president leaves office in the best interest of the country, and also not to unfairly tread on the new president's administration."