Resignation calls from Far East

Singapore - Two influential Asia-Pacific newspapers have called for Mr Clinton to resign over his affair with Ms Lewinsky.

Singapore - Two influential Asia-Pacific newspapers have called for Mr Clinton to resign over his affair with Ms Lewinsky.

Editorials from Singapore to Seoul said the President had lost the moral authority to govern at a time when the region needed strong leadership to help it overcome a debilitating financial crisis.

"He has humiliated his wife, embarrassed his daughter. . . demeaned himself and debased his office. Continuing the fight to stay on will only exacerbate this damage. . . He should resign," said the Australian daily yesterday. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, in a Sunday editorial, also called for Mr Clinton to quit.

Japan's media were fascinated by the release of the Starr report over the Internet as it is almost unthinkable for a similar release of information in Tokyo, where rumours of extra-marital affairs among political leaders are nothing new.

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But in Singapore's pro-government Straits Times sex took centre stage as the paper said Mr Clinton's resignation would not be regretted.