ASHINGTON -- Whitewater special prosecutor Robert Fiske reported Thursday that Clinton administration officials committed no crimes when they discussed a politically sensitive savings-and-loan investigation. His first report to the public also reaffirmed the police conclusion that White House aide Vince Foster killed himself.


The news was certain to be cheered at the White House, where officials are preparing for a congressional inquiry while trying to dispel the public perception they tried to meddle in the Whitewater case, which is related to the savings-and-loan investigation.


"After a review of all the evidence we have concluded that the evidence is insufficient to establish anyone within the White House or the Department of the Treasury acted with the intent to corruptly influence" the investigation, a statement accompanying the report said.


Fiske said earlier Thursday his investigation had determined that the death of Foster last summer was a suicide.


The finding reaffirms an earlier report by U.S. Park Police. Foster, a close friend of President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, was a key link in the Whitewater investigation that has raised doubts about Clinton's conduct while he was governor of Arkansas.


The whole Whitewater issue has dogged Clinton and hampered his ability to focus on getting major health legislation passed.


Fiske told reporters he has also finished his investigation into contacts between Treasury Department regulators and White House officials concerning the politically sensitive savings-and-loan investigation linked to Whitewater.


Fiske said his report on another aspect of the probe -- the removal of documents relating to Whitewater from Foster's office after his death -- will not be released for another 10 days.


Foster, the deputy White House counsel, was found shot dead in a suburban Washington park in July 1993.


The report comes as Fiske wraps up the Washington phase of his investigation and turns to the Whitewater land venture and other Arkansas business dealings involving the Clintons.


The contacts helped the White House learn that confidential criminal referrals written by federal banking investigators had named the Clintons as possible beneficiaries of illegal activities at an Arkansas savings-and-loan bank owned by their Whitewater business partner, James McDougal.


The incidents have left the White House battling an impression that officials close to Clinton tried to meddle in or impede the Whitewater investigation.


Federal investigators say the failed Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan in Little Rock, owned by McDougal, may have improperly diverted depositor funds to Clinton's gubernatorial campaign and Whitewater venture during the mid-1980s.


The Clintons and McDougal and his former wife, Susan McDougal, have denied wrongdoing.