He indicated that some sessions of the congress might be kept closed to live press coverage or open to only small groups in pool coverage.

One television camera operates from a corner of the small third-floor courtroom to provide pool coverage.

Mr. Clinton said his plan would now include incentives for small companies to band together to provide pool coverage for their employees at reduced cost.

The most likely place to begin pool coverage is Washington, where official statements and briefings have often been covered by multiple network camera crews.

Some news executives have contemplated a boycott if the Pentagon insists on future pool coverage.

The plan would also provide incentives for small companies to band together to pool coverage and reduce costs, something President Bush has also proposed.

For once, the press were discreet, agreeing among themselves on pool coverage.

Since it is not possible to accommodate all interested journalists in that room, pool coverage is the only practical way to handle the event.

At other times, pool coverage takes place as a more cost-effective way of covering events that only occasionally "make news."

CBS News had been designated to provide pool coverage if it could be arranged.