The House will be called to decide on a resolution of inquiry authorising the judiciary committee to investigate and then vote on whether to adopt articles of impeachment, judiciary committee chairman Henry Hyde told mediapersons.

The White House quickly reacted to the announcement with spokesman Michael McCurry saying saying it would abide by the lawmakers' decision.

``We will conduct ourselves with the solemnity and the dignity that the process requires, even if we take some objection to the fact that the inquiry is going to be commenced,'' McCurry said.

``The President had eight months to tell the truth, but instead he sent his staff out to declare his innocence to theworld. Now, the Democrats want to shut down an inquiry of his behaviour in 30 days,'' Hyde said and demanded a full and independent review of the allegations.

If the vote results in passage of resolution, it could set the beginning of lengthy proceedings that could culminate in a trial of president before the US Senate.

A full House vote would authorise the judiciary committee to launch impeachment hearings and weigh whether or not to impeach the President for various charges listed by independent counsel Kenneth Starr in his report.

``I think the American people want and deserve a full, fair and independent review of the allegations against the president, not a quick peek or passing glance,'' Hyde said.

Vowing to abide by the judiciary committee's decision, McCurry said ``It doesn't mean that we like it.... It doesn't mean we agree with it. But you know, you all are realists enough to know that there is not much that we're going to be able to do sit it, other than to sort of see if public opinion hassome sway as the house deals with the matter.''

Rejecting approaches by the White House and the President's friends to let Clinton off by a Congressional reprimand or censure and possibly a fine to avoid further proceedings, Speaker Newt Gingrich said ``I don't understand how people can rush to a solution before they finish the investigation.''

Meanwhile, during an appearance at Emory University, former President Jimmy Carter said President Clinton (a fellow Democrat) ``has not been truthful.''

``My own opinion is that the President has not been truthful in the deposition given in the Paula Jones case or in the interrogation by the grand jury,'' he said, adding the House judiciary committee would recommend that impeachment proceedings should be held.