by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright September 6, 2002
All Rights Reserved.

ushed off center stage, former Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter jumped back in the fray, voicing strong objections to Bush's foreign policy—especially the prospects of war with Iraq. Urging President Bush to finish the job with Osama bin Laden, Clinton expressed reservations about a "regime change" in Iraq. "Saddam Hussein didn't kill 3,100 people on Sept. 11," said Clinton at a $1,000 a plate fund-raiser in Orange County, Calif, for Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove). "Osama bin Laden did, and as far as I know, he's still alive," reminding those with short memories that Clinton dropped the ball after Bin Laden first attacked the World Trade Center in 1993. Only after Bin Laden was fingered for the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa, did Clinton finally fire Cruise Missiles at Bin Laden's terrorist training camps. Under Clinton's watch, Bin Laden conceptualized, organized, plotted, financed, and implemented the most devastating terrorist attack in world history.

      Since 9/11, former presidents and world leaders haven't come up to speed: The U.S. was brazenly attacked by outlaws supported by rogue nations, whose ultimate goal is destroying America's superpower status and establishing a worldwide Islamic state. Though the entire civilized world is also under siege, the U.S. sustained massive casualties and must assure—beyond anything else—that history doesn't repeat itself. History repeated itself after the first World Trade Center bombing, precisely because Clinton had no coherent preemptive strategy. Only the blind can't see that Bin Laden would have detonated an A-bomb on New York or Washington—if he had one. "I also believe we might do more good for American security in the short run at far less cost by beefing up our efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere to flesh out the entire network," said Clinton, proving, if nothing else, he's either dangerously misguided or playing politics. Pentagon and German intelligence estimates that Saddam Hussein is only a few years away from developing a Hiroshima-sized nuclear bomb.

      "The most fearsome of threats," said former President Jimmy Carter debating candidate Ronald Reagan in 1980, "is if one these rogue nations gets their hands on nuclear weapons," blasting Reagan for being too lax on nuclear non-proliferation. With Saddam only a few years from an A-bomb, Clinton wants the U.S. to pursue a goose chase in Afghanistan. "There is an urgent need for U.N. action for force unrestricted inspections in Iraq," said Jimmy Carter, in a sweeping denunciation of Bush's foreign policy, failing to acknowledge that the U.N. didn't prevent Sept. 11. In a moment of clarity, Sec. of Sate Colin L. Powell got it right stating that the real issue with Iraq isn't "inspections" but "disarmament." Carter blames Bush for not following two generations of failed Middle East policy, allowing Yasser Arafat to yank America's chain. Yes, Bush departed from Carter's policy precisely because it doesn't fit today's national security requirements. Common sense, moral clarity and national security dominate U.S. foreign policy, not, as Carter suggests, "belligerent and divisive voices."

      When Iran fell under Carter's watch to radical Islam, the U.S. lost a strategic ally in the Persian Gulf. Radical Islam spread over the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia and North Africa. Few imagined—including Carter—that radical Islam, not the disintegrating Soviet Union, represented America's biggest threat. Without Iran, Reagan and Bush-41 grew more dependent on Israel for intelligence and strategic operations. Carter's old formula of placating Arab interests and imposing unilateral concessions on Israel no longer worked for regional security and U.S. interests. When Arafat embraced Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War, his credibility took an irreversible hit. Carter's still stuck at Camp David celebrating his Nobel Prize. Mired in its own parochial interests, Europe also can't catch up with U.S. foreign policy since 9/11. Now under siege, the U.S. must take all measures to prevent future terrorist attacks. While Clinton doesn't see the link, credible reports show Saddam Hussein colluding with Osama bin Laden

      Criticizing Bush's foreign policy, Carter insists that the U.S. has no longer has a consistent Mideast strategy. But Bush's doctrine clearly specifies that the U.S. will not do business with terrorists. By anyone's measure, Arafat remains the same terrorist today when another offshoot of the PLO, Black September, ambushed the Israeli Olympic team at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Unlike Carter, Bush won't shake hands with Arafat because he's proved incompetent, corrupt and untrustworthy. Bush seeks a comprehensive Mideast peace but with new leaders capable of meeting obligations. Bush's foreign policy correctly assesses the most pressing threats to national security. With Al Qaeda on the run, Saddam's obsession with weapons of mass destruction represents a far greater danger than Osama bin Laden. Inspections haven't worked before, why should they now?

      Looking at the bigger picture, Clinton and Carter should stop Monday morning quarterbacking before the November elections. After two generations of failure, Bush finally got it that Arafat is no partner in peace. It's up to Palestinians to produce responsible leaders capable of brokering lasting peace deals. Since Sept. 11, terrorism is no longer an acceptable path peace. Politicians and world leaders must also realize that Bush's number one priority is protecting national security—not placating polls or bending to world opinion. Approaching the anniversary of 9/11, the White House is acutely aware of the emerging danger posed by Saddam Hussein feverishly seeking nuclear bombs and other dangerous weapons. While there's no direct proof or "evidence" yet, the White House can't sit on its hands waiting for the next Sept. 11. No reassurance from foreign leaders or inspections can reverse Saddam's insanity or his intent to harm U.S. interests. Anyway you cut it, Saddam must go.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national land global news. He's a consultant and expert in strategic communication. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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