Bush Borrows Reagan Line in Foreign Policy Speeches

Almost routinely these days, George Bush is seen forging his own policies, nudging away from the Reagan Administration, sounding new themes. But still there are times such as Wednesday, when Bush presents himself as a candidate whose slogan might as well be “Four more years.”

Nothing brings out the party line in the vice president as much as when he looks abroad to America’s relationships with other nations. So it was on Wednesday as Bush addressed American Jews here and American military veterans in Louisville, Ky.

Even the vice president’s slogan for the occasions--”Peace through strength”--was borrowed from the outgoing President.

Recounted High Points

To a convention of B’nai B’rith, the U.S.-based nonpartisan Jewish community service organization, Bush recounted the high points in U.S. relations with Israel and seemed to try to twit his opponent, Michael S. Dukakis, over the painfully sensitive subject of a homeland in the Mideast for Palestinians.

“I have made it very clear that I am opposed to an independent Palestinian state. . . . Such a state would be a threat to the security of Israel and of Jordan, which is crucial to any lasting settlement of the conflict. And it would also be contrary to American interests.”

Bush continued, alluding to what he contended was Dukakis’ previous vagueness on the subject: “Anybody who has trouble making up his mind on this issue, or who proposes to leave it open, just doesn’t understand the dangers to Israel and to the United States.”

During the New York primary campaign last April, Dukakis stirred controversy when he refused to rule out a separate Palestinian state, an anathema to many Jews. Later, Dukakis insisted that he merely supported wide-open negotiations among Mideast interests.

Bush offered his audience no suggestion of what peace initiatives he might pursue in the troubled region. “No one can foretell where the tragic events of recent months will lead,” he said cautiously.

Dukakis Also a Speaker

Bush addressed the convention two hours before Dukakis was scheduled to arrive and speak to the same group.

“You’re in for a charisma overdose,” Bush joked.

The two presidential candidates also were to cross paths before the 70th national convention of the American Legion in Louisville. Bush addressed the veterans’ organization earlier Wednesday and Dukakis was on the schedule for today.

“Peace through strength is not just a slogan,” Bush told the veterans, “it is a lesson learned through the years, sometimes with the blood of brave men and women. In a Bush Administration, that lesson would not be forgotten--it would guide my defense and foreign policy.”

He pledged his support for a popular issue among activist veterans--elevating the Veterans Administration to a Cabinet agency.

Promises to Sign Law

He promised that if President Reagan does not have the opportunity to sign such a law this year, President Bush would during his first year in office.

The vice president also sided with veterans and against some women’s and minority groups on the subject of federal job opportunities.

“I will support the continuation--and strengthening--of veterans’ preference in federal hiring,” Bush said.

Opponents of the job preference question its value in these days when military service is voluntary and servicemen more highly paid than in the past.

In another development Wednesday, Bush was quoted in an interview as saying he now favors an increase in the minimum wage. Reversing a long-held position, Bush told Knight-Ridder Newspapers he would soon propose “some adjustment” in the minimum wage, which has been $3.35 an hour for the last seven years.

Dukakis has accused Republicans of being insensitive to the hardships felt by working-class voters. A bill pending in the House would raise the minimum wage to $5.05 an hour by 1992, while a Senate version would raise it to $4.55 by 1991.