Military

DATE=10-25-00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-268443

TITLE=CLINTON / BALKANS (L-Only)

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Clinton is defending his decision to have U-S troops serve as peacekeepers in the Balkans. The matter has become a key campaign issue in the race for the White House this year, with Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush proposing to withdraw U-S forces from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White House.

Text: In his first response to Mr. Bush's proposal, Mr. Clinton used a political fund-raiser in New York to defend his decision to have U-S troops take part in peacekeeping in the Balkans.

/// CLINTON ACT ///

I think it is a good thing that we went there, and it is a good thing that we are there now, even though we only have 15 percent of the troops in Kosovo and Bosnia. We are important to the preservation of liberty there.

/// END ACT ///

The national security adviser to Texas Governor Bush, Condoleeza Rice, said in a New York Times interview Sunday that her candidate believes U-S troops should focus on fighting or deterring wars in the Persian Gulf and Asia, while turning over peacekeeping duties in the Balkans to European nations.

Democratic Presidential nominee Vice President Al Gore has called the Bush proposal risky, saying it could lead to regional instability and divide NATO.

Mr. Clinton's comments on the matter come after Democrats urged him to play a greater role in the campaign of his vice-president, who is locked in a tight race with Mr. Bush.

But the President is not expected to appear with Mr. Gore on the campaign trail.

Campaign officials believe questions about Mr. Clinton's character after his impeachment in a sex-and-perjury scandal two years ago could be a liability for their candidate, even though Mr. Gore strongly defended the president after the House action. (signed)

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