CLINTON AND VIETNAM WAR: Statement - 10/9/92 For Immediate Release: October 9, 1992 Vietnam Era Hardliners Decry Bush Tactics Against Governor Clinton A group of Vietnam era hardliners issued a statement today denouncing the Bush Administration's attacks against Bill Clinton's patriotism as an attempt to "divert attention from its failings with half-baked charges and insinuations." Included in the signatures are former Republican administration officials Paul Nitze, a former arms control negotiator, and Lt. General William E. Odom (Ret.), former Director of the National Security Agency. The statement's signatories called "absurd" the notion put forward by the Bush Administration that Clinton's stance on the Vietnam War as a young man disqualifies him from the Presidency today. "In fact, his firm support for the democratic and anti- communist movements in the former Soviet Empire and in China make him a distinctly preferable candidate to George Bush, who in modern times has shown himself far too willing to cooperate with dictators, and to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses." This statement was drafted and circulated by Penn Kemble, a consultant on foreign affairs and defense, and Joshua Muravchick, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. A full text and list of signers is attached. -30-30-30 BILL CLINTON AND THE VIETNAM WAR The Vietnam Era was a confusing and painful one for many young Americans. It is absurd to judge people today merely in terms of where they stood then. For example, there are many who served honorably in Republican Administrations, or who today vigorously support President Bush, who also opposed the Vietnam War, and took part in demonstrations against it. We did not agree with the stand Bill Clinton took toward the Vietnam War as a young man. But that should not disqualify him from the Presidency today. In fact, his firm support for the democratic and anti-communist movements in the former Soviet Empire and in China make him a distinctly preferable candidate to George Bush, who in modern times has shown himself far too willing to cooperate with dictators, and to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses. Today Americans must unite to meet two great challenges. The first is economic renewal at home. The second is support for the democratic transformation aborad that has ended the Cold War, is giving hope to those still suffering under repressive governments, and could become the basis for a peaceful and durable world order. The Bush Administration has failed to meet these challenges, and now is seeking to divert attention from its failings with half-baked charges and insinuations. MORRIS AMITAY Vice Chair, Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs ANGIER BIDDLE DUKE President, Council of American Ambassadors SAMUEL P. HUNTINGTON Director, John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Affairs, Harvard University JOHN T. JOYCE President, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen, AFL-CIO -more- PENN KEMBLE Senior Associate, Freedom House JOSHUA MURAVCHIK Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute PAUL NITZE Former Advisor to the President for Arms Control WILLIAM E. ODOM Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, retired PETER ROSENBLATT Attorney, former U.S. Ambassador ALBERT SCHANKER President, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO Organizations listed for identification purposes only. ###