Groups demand the release of task force data

round wooden library table bears six small stacks of papers - many blank pages except for the inscription: "Deliberative Process." The documents represent the scanty returns from "Freedom of Information" requests filed with nine federal agencies and departments almost one year ago by Judicial Watch, a conservative public interest law firm.

Judicial Watch once stalked the Clinton administration with such requests, forcing the release of thousands of documents containing embarrassing secrets. Now - as crucial energy legislation is debated by the Senate - Judicial Watch and several environmental groups are in hot pursuit of documents generated by an energy task force run by US vice-president Dick Cheney.

The law firm's manoeuvres complement the constitutional struggle taking place between the White House and Congress' General Accounting Office, which is seeking names and details of those who advised Mr Cheney. The White House has rejected the GAO's request.