WASHINGTON - Citing deepening ties to the Enron scandal, President
George W. Bush announced late Sunday evening that both he and Vice
President Richard Cheney will be resigning from office effective
Noon Tuesday. Bush is scheduled to give an address to the nation
at 7 p.m. EST, to be broadcast on all networks.

The sudden resignations will make Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), the
current Speaker of the House, the 44th President of the United
States. Hastert, notified of the resignations yesterday afternoon,
said he had not yet made a decision regarding Cheney's successor.

In a statement released by Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, Bush
stated that "the continuing and ever-growing scandal surrounding
the collapse of Enron have made it impossible for either myself
or Vice President Cheney to continue to function effectively.
Therefore, we have notified Secretary of State Colin Powell
that we will be resigning as of noon, Tuesday, April 2."

Asked if coalition falling apart over consideration of the
nuclear option or unrest in the Middle East may have brought
this on, Fletcher said, "With the President? I would have to
check. I really don't know off the top of my head.

After this evening's address, Bush and Cheney are scheduled to
fly to Houston.