World's Great Newspapers say that Clinton is doomed:
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STARR INVESTIGATION: CLINTON INCREASINGLY 'ISOLATED'
AS 'DAY OF RECKONING' APPROACHES
Amid reports that special prosecutor Kenneth Starr is expected to deliver his report to Congress summarizing his inquiry into the Lewinsky case perhaps as early as the end of this week, foreign observers viewed PresidentClinton as increasingly "isolated" as he faces the days ahead. Writers were particularly struck by "critical
commentaries" of the president's conduct voiced in recent days by prominent members of the Democratic Party.Editorial after editorial echoed the sentiments of London's conservative Times, which stressed: "In Congress, Mr.Clinton has barely a defender of note left. And it is friendly fire, not Republican sniping, that has holed his ship." A
number of commentators raised the "specter of impeachment," which Milan's centrist, top-circulation Corrieredella Sera and others deemed "more real" now than previously. Others argued, however, that even though "moreDemocrats are distancing themselves" from the president, "no important leader from [among] the Democrats has announced...in favor of impeachment." Dailies in Britain, Germany, France and Belgium joined Oslo's independent tabloid Dagbladet in worrying that, as a result of his "handling of the Lewinsky issue," the president
had created a "breach of faith in U.S. domestic politics...that could have dire consequences" in the global arena.In pursuing that argument, London's conservative Times intoned: "[Mr. Clinton] can no longer assure such vital Congress votes as the funding for the IMF that is urgently required to calm the financial storms. Resignation now,
before the risk of an impeachment that could tip an already unstable world towards depression, looks increasinglythe best option." Following are additional themes in the commentary:
'CLINTON'S FATE IN HANDS OF DEMOCRATS'--The majority of editorialists deemed that President Clinton's future depended on the "attitudes of those who should be his natural defenders--the Democrats." Many
cautioned, however, that, given the upcoming mid-term elections, "few [members of the president's party] are willing to risk their re-election for him." Germany's right-of-center Frankfurter Allegemeine predicted:
"Until...[Mr.] Starr presents his report to Congress, Mr. Clinton will have few friends--and after Starr's presentation, there may be even fewer." London's conservative Daily Telegraph viewed senior Democrats as "prepared to regard impeachment, not as a constitutional crisis, but as a constitutional mechanism" to remove the president from office.
CONDUCT DEMANDED OF A HEAD OF STATE--Madrid's conservative ABC spoke of the president's troubles as an "American tragedy." Oslo's conservative Aftenposten concluded that Mr. Clinton "had undermined
the dignity of the presidency," adding: "Even in a situation where the great majority of Americans feel that he has done a good job...there is [nonetheless] an onerous burden of confidence that any nation would like to have in its elected leader." Hong Kong's independent South China Morning Post insisted: "America has a right to expect much better from its president. In particular, if survival is the only game Mr. Clinton can now pursue, one has to ask what he has to offer."
This survey is based on 25 reports from 12 countries, September 6 - 9.
EDITOR: Kathleen J. Brahney
To Go Directly To Quotes By Region, Click Below
| EUROPE | | MIDDLE EAST | | EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC | | AFRICA |
| LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN |
EUROPE
BRITAIN: "Dead In The Water"
The lead editorial in the conservative Times maintained (9/9) under the above headline: "The one word from Bill Clinton's journeys to Russia, Ulster and Ireland that echoed back across the Atlantic was the word 'sorry.' Back in Washington this week, the isolated incumbent of the White House can take the full measure of the damage that
his long refusal to pronounce that word has wreaked.... In Congress, Mr. Clinton has barely a defender of note left. And it is friendly fire, not Republican sniping, that has holed his ship.... Visibly estranged even from his wife, the president is politically so emasculated that he can no longer assure such vital Congress votes as the funding for the IMF that is urgently required to calm the financial storms. Resignation now, before the risk of an impeachment
that could tip an already unstable world towards depression, looks increasingly the best option."
"One Way Or Another, Clinton Is Doomed"
Under the above headline, the conservative Daily Telegraph had this op-ed piece (9/9) by Washington correspondent Hugo Gurden: "Ever a gambler, Mr. Clinton is betting Congress will flinch before he does. But his is a losing hand. Senior Democrats are fleeing from him, disgusted, angry, betrayed and prepared to regard impeachment not as a constitutional crisis but as a constitutional mechanism."
"Clinton's Support Starts To Crumble"
The centrist Independent noted (9/8): "As the leader of his own church urged Bill Clinton to resign the presidency, anxiety was mounting yesterday about the huge toll that the Monica Lewinsky scandal may take on both the work program of Congress in Washington and the election prospects of Democratic candidates across the country.... Alarm bells are sounding that a busy work schedule, ranging from votes on next year's federal budget to an important Senate debate on changing election fundraising laws, will be sidetracked by the scandal....
Washington observers were last night questioning whether the president had been hobbled--his authority soundermined to the point of rendering him ineffective and the country rudderless."
"The Matadors Close In"
The independent Financial Times featured this op-ed analysis (9/8): "Adding to the White House headache is thfact that the scandal is now starting to hurt Al Gore, who is already under a cloud because of a JusticDepartment investigation into... possible campaign finance abuses in the 1996 election. Although Mr. Gore habeen a strong supporter of Mr. Clinton since the scandal broke, he needs the backing of the Democratic Partfor his planned campaign in 2000. That could require Mr. Gore to begin the task of trying to distance himself
from the man whose legacy he had planned to make a key electoral attraction.... For the rest of the world, therseems bound to be a period of great uncertainty."
FRANCE: "Clinton's Enemies Careful Prior To November Elections"
Laurent Zecchini declared in left-of-center Le Monde (9/9): "While there is no indication when Kenneth Starr wilbe handing over his report to the Congress, a number of very critical commentaries made over the weekenabout Bill Clinton have been feeding speculation.... Nevertheless, Republican leaders want to remain careful so as
not to become the targets of accusations that they are going on a witch hunt, particularly prior to the Novembeelections.... These elections will certainly play in Bill Clinton's favor because as long as his popularity remainhigh, no one will want to engage in a high risk strategy which voters will interpret as 'partisan tactics.'"
"Bill Clinton Abandoned By His Own Supporters"
According to left-of-center Liberation's Patrick Sabatier (9/8): "Upon returning to Washington, President Clintowill be able to observe that the political support of his own party has been dwindling, because of the legislativelections next November.... While popular support for the president is still high...in Congress, Democrats anRepublicans alike are adopting a cautious attitude...Bill Clinton may be able to once again ask for and get thnation's forgiveness on Friday. He may even be able to survive. But the question that is being asked more and
more often is: 'Can he still govern the nation?'"
GERMANY: "End Of Clinton Era Approaching"
Right-of-center Fuldaer Zeitung asserted (9/7): "The U.S. president is no longer able to escape his debaucherieand his attempts to hush them up. His tortuous confessions and his half-hearted statements of remorse havharmed rather than improved the situation. What can be more humiliating than having to speak about his own sexual mistakes in two foreign countries? This wounds the pride of a nation which likes to present itself as the moral judge of the world. Clinton has lost credibility and charisma. This coincides with a return to economic
sobriety in the United States.... In addition, there are numerous international trouble spots which the United Stateis unable to deal with. Thus a calamitous end of the Clinton era is coming closer. It would be better than an endless calamity."
"Critical Voices"
Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger had this to say in right-of-center Frankfurter Allgemeine (9/8): "Maybe President Clinton really believed that his half-hearted confession...of August 17 would help him get out of the troubleswhich he inflicted upon himself.... But the Lewinsky affair pestered him even in Moscow...and in Ireland it forced
him to apologize.... And now, even Democratic senators doubt his moral authority. Democratic senators, whose words and whose voices count, are now talking about the constitutional duties of Congress to decide about impeachment proceedings.
"These senators are not necessarily Clinton's 'friends,' but they are halfway reliable allies against a Republican majority in Congress. This means that the costs of gaining a majority will rise, while the president's capacity to act will be reduced.... Until special counsel Kenneth Starr presents his report to Congress, Mr. Clinton will have few friends--and after Starr's presentation, there may be even fewer. Those who expect a vigorous president in the coming months will be disappointed. Not all Democratic critics of Clinton are simply interested in decency and morality in the White House. Some of them, of course, are also thinking about election day on November 3."
"Bill Clinton, King Lear"
Under the above headline, Josef Joffe opined in centrist Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (9/8): "You can look at it from whatever angle you like. The end of the Clinton presidency has come. Will he resign? This is not his nature, since he has been able to pull his head out from the noose several times in the past.... He will spend his days and nights conceiving defensive strategies by appeasing his party's supporters and by trying to bribe his opponents. In foreign policy, he will be paralyzed. He will be accused of diverting attention from his mistakes if he takes to arms, and of cowardice if he goes down on his knees when confronted with the Saddams and the bin Ladens of this world. In the end, he will wander through the White House such as King Lear. His resignation would be better for him, the nation, and the world."
ITALY: "Worrying Developments"
Andrea di Robilant filed this from New York for centrist, influential La Stampa (9/9): "This week or next, at the latest, special prosecutor Kenneth Starr will hand his dossier on the Lewinsky case over to Congress. With that day of reckoning approaching, more Democrats are distancing themselves from Bill Clinton. This morning the president will meet with the Democratic House leaders...and will implore them to help him in the forthcoming, decisive weeks. But it will not be an easy meeting: In only two months there are the mid-term elections, and the Lewinsky case...now risks making many Democratic representatives lose their seats.... For the White House the most worrying development is the fact that Democrats are distancing themselves.... Yesterday even Barbara Boxer, whose daughter is married to Hillary Clinton's younger brother, joined the group.... Having said all this, so
far no important leader from the Democrats has announced himself in favor of President Clinton's impeachment."
"A Mortal Blow"
Alessandra Farkas observed from New York in centrist, top-circulation Corriere della Sera (9/9): "With the day of reckoning coming closer, Clinton is making every effort to present an image of normality to his nation.... From the powerful lobbies to the daily commentaries there is only one chorus: Clinton's political prestige has received a
mortal blow by the Lewinsky scandal."
"Clinton's Fate In Hands Of The Democrats"
Franco Pantarelli filed this from New York for centrist, influential La Stampa (9/8): "Bill Clinton is increasingly isolated, and, judging from his silence, increasingly undecided about what to do. His fate, after all, no longer seems to depend on the initiatives he may take, but on the future attitude of those who should be his natural
defenders--the Democrats. And on this front came several confirmations yesterday that only a few, at this point, are willing to risk their re-election for him.... The issue that Congress will have to face when Kenneth Starr finally turns in his report, is between 'impeachment' and a 'motion of censorship.'"
"Specter Of Impeachment"
Alessandra Farkas wrote from New York for centrist, top-circulation Corriere della Sera (9/8): "The circle is closing around Bill Clinton, pressed by Republican Congressmen and left alone by fellow party members.... Congress is resuming work this week after summer recess.... The specter of impeachment seems more real."
"A Decisive Week Ahead"
In leading business Il Sole-24 Ore, Alessandro Plateroti commented from New York (9/8): "A decisive week for the fate of the Clinton presidency.... The U.S. president is waiting, in a very hot atmosphere, for Prosecutor Starr to deliver to Congress the results of his investigation.... And rumors about possible new Democratic candidates for the presidential elections are beginning to circulate in Washington, mainly about Bill Bradley."
BELGIUM: "From Irish Ballad To American Way Of The Cross"
Washington correspondent Nathalie Mattheiem observed in independent Le Soir (9/9): "The phenomenon of the 'lame duck' that semi-paralyzes the presidents at the end of their term has never been so cruel. Nobody is going
in for the kill yet, but depending on the gravity of the facts described by Ken Starr, the pressure might rise to ask for the coup de grace which would soothe quite a lot of sufferings. The Democrats, even as minority (in the House ) will weigh heavily on this outcome. Will they succeed in having a simple 'censure', morally humiliating but
politically inoffensive, adopted?"
NORWAY: "Serious Breach Of Faith In American Politics"
Researcher Svein Melby of the Norwegian Foreign Policy Insitute commented in independent tabloid Dagbladet (9/7) "President Clinton's handling of the Lewinsky issue has created a breach of faith in U.S. domestic politics...that could have dire consequences for the nation's international role as well. The lack of confidence in the president raises serious questions about whether [Mr.] Clinton can continue to act with the required credibility in the international arena. Clinton's resignation may prove to be the only way out of the difficult situation he has caused in American politics."
"Clinton In Danger Of Being Pushed Out"
Conservative Aftenposten concluded (9/6): "While Bill Clinton has been visiting Russia, Northern Ireland and Ireland, his political platform at home has become so undermined that he could be pushed out of the White House. The network around him is unraveling with remarkable speed. Bill Clinton has squandered his private and public credibility and undermined the dignity of the presidency. Even in a situation where the great majority of Americans feel that he has done a good job as president, there is [nonetheless] an onerous burden on the
confidence that any nation would like to have in its elected leader."
SPAIN: "Head Of State"
Otto de Habsburgo mused in conservative ABC (9/9): "The current American tragedy serves to place the functions of a head of state in bold relief.... The head of state is a symbol, a representative, but above all, a personality who should serve as an example for the citizenry.... [In this context], one may admire Clinton's policies or disagree with them, but what is clear is that as a person he does not provide an example for the United States."
"Clinton's Calvary"
Independent El Mundo observed (9/5): "Upon returning to Washington Bill Clinton will come face-to-face with reality. Distance has not served to disentangle him from [his affair with] the young intern, the repercussions of which have pursued him from Russia to Ireland. This scandal will not die, and Clinton is traversing his way of the
cross on the world stage and with Hillary in tow. The worst part is that those now taking shots at the president are his own friends. Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman has placed the president's moral authority in doubt by sharply criticizing his 'immorality' just when he was basking in the smiles of Irish eyes, something he will miss in
Washington.... Speculation in American political circles now even includes talk of the president's resignation, despite the patiently repeated denials of his spokesman, [Mike] McCurry, [who has himself] resigned."
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
HONG KONG: "Clinton's Crisis"
The independent, English-language South China Morning Post's editorial stated (9/9): "Whenever he appears to have suffered the final humiliation, yet another blow seems to land on President Bill Clinton's shoulders. In the space of a month, the Comeback Kid of American politics has become Banana Skin Bill.... The polls still give the president high ratings, but his standing may be more fragile than it looks--Richard Nixon was still doing well in the polls in the early stages of the Watergate scandal. Above all...his ability to serve out his second term probably hangs on the economy. If the Dow Jones crashes, and the downturn in Asia and Russia throws Americans out of
jobs in significant numbers, the game will be up, whatever fresh maneuvers his legal team weaves....
"But America has a right to expect much better from its president. In particular, if survival is the only game Mr. Clinton can now pursue, one has to ask what he has to offer."
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
ISRAEL: "Save Billy"
Senior analyst Yoel Marcus emphasized in independent Haaretz (9/8): "During his stop in Ireland, President Clinton made a desperate attempt to present the Monica affair as an insignificant blunder.... One cannot avoid the impression that his appeals to various nations...to follow Ireland's peace-making example was directed mostly at the Israelis.... Reason: Israel has close ties with the U.S. Congress...and the Jewish lobby has a considerable say in the America's corridors of power. Clinton's call from Moscow to Prime Minister Netanyahu and his decision to send SMEC Ross over are the acts of a president in distress seeking the help of the Israeli prime minister. The least Israel can do is help stage a signing ceremony at the White House at the end of the month.... This may not salvage the peace process but it could avoid an explosion and, perhaps, also save Billy."
AFRICA
GHANA: "A Probe Gone Too Far"
Under the headline above, K. B. Asante judged in the government-owned Daily Graphic (9/6): "The present American practice of sustained probe and ruthless exposure of leaders has much to commend it. It shows without doubt that not even the head of state is above the law or outside the imperatives of good behavior.... But does not the relentless probe and naked exposure of the frailties of the leader lead to public cynicism and erosion of confidence in the structures of governance?"
LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
ARGENTINA: "Tension Increased Between Clinton And Democrats"
Jorge Elias, Washington-based correspondent for daily-of-record La Nacion wrote (9/9), "Everything is taking place amid the campaign for the elections to take place on November 3.... The impact of the Lewinsky affair is not as clear in the shrinkage of votes for Democrats as in the participation of people in elections, usually low. That is why the electoral forecast announces for Democrats... bigger losses than the majority of both houses in the U.S. Congress, controlled by Republicans since 1995. A Republican poll shows that because of the Lewinsky scandal, moral and religion are the main concerns among the U.S. electorate, almost as important as drugs and
crime. In favor of Democrats there is only economy.... Democrats are disappointed by Clinton's behavior and are not motivated to vote.... The National Journal, a prestigious magazine in Washington, indicated yesterday that 57 people, among them politicians, TV personalities, newspapers and magazines requested in only one week that Clinton should leave the White House. That number should be added to the 111 already gathered against Clinton. Among them, five Republican Senators and 26 representatives."
"Moral Issues"
Ana Baron, leading Clarin's Washington-based correspondent, pointed out (9/8): "After [President Clinton's] August 17 speech, when he admitted his improper relationship with Monica Lewinsky, nobody dares rule out the fact that moral issues may be very profitable [in the November elections.] The situation has changed so much since then that, as things are today, everything is possible.... At present, there are more and more Democrats who think that if independent prosecutor Starr's report...proves that Clinton committed perjury and obstruction of justice, abuse of power or blackmailed witnesses to hide his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, it will be necessary to start an impeachment, whatever the political cost may be. In this sense, even though the economic situation is still basically positive, the impeachment option appears now inevitable."
CUBA: "Democrats Distancing Themselves From Clinton"
This news item datelined Washington appeared in Cuban Communist Party daily Granma (9/8): "One possible effect of the Lewinsky affair is that some members on the Democratic rolls are distancing themselves from President William Clinton in order to prevent an eventual disaster in the November congressional elections. According to EFE, quoting White House advisers, Clinton is becoming more isolated every day."
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It's amazing that world opinion has galvanized so quickly against Clinton.
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