The two attorneys discussed preparing the paper work to seek the court's permission to transmit the grand jury material to Baird.

"This office does not disclose grand jury material," the statement said, adding that journalists have used information from sources outside the independent counsel's office.

Witnesses who had access to grand jury material denied leaking information to The Times, the report said.

Agents and investigators, the rule continues, cannot use "grand jury material for any purpose other than assisting the attorney for the Government."

Judge Johnson repeatedly warned all parties in the case against discussing grand jury material with news organizations.

But last fall a federal court of appeals said information about the prosecutor's strategy was not protected grand jury material.

The full texts of the Freeh and La Bella reports, which are based on grand jury material, remain secret.

Prosecutors, too, say they abhor such leaks and have become much bolder in leaning on journalists to reveal the sources of the grand jury material.

The White House also said grand jury material in the case should remain secret, as the rules require.

In general, he said, rules of criminal procedure prohibit the disclosure of grand jury material.