CHICAGO (AP):

Former President Bill Clinton has offered several concessions to help Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton, his wife, become secretary of state, people familiar with President-elect Barack Obama's transition vetting process said yesterday.

Clinton has agreed to release the names of several major donors to his charitable foundation and will submit future foundation activities and paid speeches to a strict ethics review, said Democrats knowledgeable about the discussions.

They also said that Clinton would step away from day-to-day responsibility for his foundation while his wife serves and would alert the State Department to his speaking schedule and any new sources of income. The Democrats spoke only on grounds of anonymity because of the private nature of the Cabinet-selection process.

Since Senator Clinton has emerged as a top contender for the state job, currently held by Condoleezza Rice, her husband's international business deals and the fund-raising he has done for his foundation and presidential library have come under careful review by Obama's transition team.

Transparency

Bill Clinton had indicated earlier that he would be willing to significantly increase the transparency of those activities if it would boost the former first lady's chances of getting the job.

A team of attorneys is representing the Clintons in negotiations with Obama officials, in talks which have taken place this week at a law firm in Washington. Obama takes office on January 20.