Clinton's Credibility Crisis: A Nation's Trust on the Line

The controversy surrounding President Clinton's decision to send troops to Bosnia stems from his own history of avoiding military service during the Vietnam War, raising questions about his credibility as a commander-in-chief. This crisis of trust is also reflective of a broader issue, one that has been present throughout Clinton's presidency. The deployment to Bosnia has sparked strong opposition, particularly due to the higher risks involved compared to the Haiti peacekeeping mission.

Key Takeaways:

• President Clinton's decision to send troops to Bosnia has been met with opposition due to his own history of avoiding military service during the Vietnam War.
• The credibility crisis surrounding Clinton's decision is a reflection of a broader issue of trust that has been present throughout his presidency.
• Senior diplomat Henry Kissinger has advised Clinton to define a narrow and specific mission for American troops in Bosnia, limiting their role to separating warring factions.
• The American military role should be limited to maintaining a cease-fire and avoiding involvement in nation-building, peacekeeping, or political institution creation.
• Clinton's opponents, including Senator Bob Dole and Senator John McCain, have expressed support for the decision, citing a bipartisan tradition in Congress and a concern about undermining the American role in NATO.

Statistics:

• 10 time zones separate Russia, which Kissinger noted should not be a hindrance to staying within its borders.
• The risks involved in deploying troops to Bosnia are significantly higher compared to the Haiti peacekeeping mission.
• The American military role in Bosnia should be limited to a specific duration and should not involve risks to American lives.
• The deployment of American troops to Bosnia has sparked opposition, with concerns about the potential consequences of involvement in the conflict.

Sources:

• The Akron Beacon Journal
• Knight-Ridder Newspapers
• David B. Cooper, associate editor of the Akron Beacon Journal
• Henry Kissinger, former United States Secretary of State