Monitor: The News of the World-What happens next in the Lewinsky case?

Marianne Lavelle and Julian E. Barnes, US News & World Report

Most observers of the Lewinsky case say that it will be two to three weeks before it becomes apparent whether the defence and prosecution are moving towards an immunity deal.

Prosecutors will be cautious in revealing their evidence to Cacheris and Stein until they learn whether the two plan to work alone or to co- ordinate a defence. Bradford Berenson, a Washington criminal lawyer, says that prosecutors obviously fear that Lewinsky has been protecting the President. And some close to Starr's office have noted that Cacheris is a close friend of the President's lawyer, Robert Bennett, and of William Hundley, the lawyer for the President's friend Vernon Jordan.

The White House, for its part, has kept mum on the implications of Lewinsky's new legal team. But Clinton advisers privately fear that Ginsburg's departure could open the door to an immunity deal in which Lewinsky would give testimony damaging to the President.

Lewinsky's eagerly sought fresh start is, for the White House, an unwanted return to square one of the investigation. The President and his advisers can only wait and wonder what the former intern will do.

Leon Hadar, The Singapore Business Times

Washington is holding its breath and waiting for the outcome of the behind- the-scenes negotiations between Mr Starr and Ms Lewinsky's lawyers, with the pundits already sketching various political and legal scenarios that could result from a Lewinsky testimony: Congress censors Mr Clinton but does not impeach him; Mr Clinton being indicted and forced out of office; Mr Clinton resigns and faces a legal battle; and Mr Starr finds no incriminating evidence against the President and Monicagate becomes yesterday's news, Mr Clinton ends his term in office, and Ms Lewinsky, at the age of 24, goes on to write her memoirs and sign the movie rights for her novel.

Elisabeth Rosenthal, Dallas Morning Post (US)

In an attempt to spare President Clinton embarrassment

on his state visit, Beijing officials ordered bookstores this week to remove from their shelves a popular new book that details the sex scandals. The book, Clinton: A President of Strong Drives, is a 302-page quick-publish, quick-read.