Clinton calls for early hearing

LITTLE ROCK - President Bill Clinton has asked a federal judge to dismiss Ms Paula Jones's suite against him for alleged sexual…

LITTLE ROCK - President Bill Clinton has asked a federal judge to dismiss Ms Paula Jones's suite against him for alleged sexual harassment, which he "adamantly" denies, or schedule an early trial, Sean Cronin writes. Hitherto, Mr Clinton's lawyer, Mr Robert Bennett, seemed to want a trial delayed for as long as possible.

Ms Jones was an employee of the state of Arkansas when the alleged incident took place, she charges, in a hotel room during an economic conference on May 8th, 1994. She says she was summoned by a state trooper to meet the then Governor Clinton, who allegedly propositioned her.

The Clinton response states that Ms Jones joined long-time political opponents of the president "to discredit him and his presidency".