Republicans in the American House of Representatives say they are disappointed at President Clinton's replies to questions put to him on Friday about the Monica Lewinsky affair.

One senior Republican aide said he was surprised that the president had not mounted a more vigorous defence, and accepted responsibility for any false statements he had made in the past.

Without that, he said, articles of impeachment are almost certain to be debated in the House.

The White House said the president was in a no-win situation -- any deviation from earlier statements would have presented his opponents with more ammunition.