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Clinton: U.S. Forces Especially Vital Now

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

President Clinton on Sunday expressed a “debt of gratitude” to U.S. military personnel around the world for their role in deterring the development and use of weapons of mass destruction and stressed the need to remain “vigilant,” particularly in the face of threats from Iraq and North Korea.

Although he was speaking in South Korea, Clinton clearly had the ongoing tensions with Iraq on his mind. Just a little more than a week earlier, he gave the go-ahead for a massive airstrike against Iraq. With the threat of force palpable, Baghdad backed down, agreeing to let U.N. arms inspectors do their jobs, and the attack was called off.

“Our ability to succeed in promoting peace is uniquely due to the fact that we can back up our diplomatic efforts when necessary with military strength,” said Clinton, who was flanked by an F-16 fighter and an A-10 attack plane. “And that depends on you, the finest armed forces in the world.”

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The venue for Clinton’s traditional Thanksgiving address to the troops was this base just a few miles from the site of the first significant ground combat action between American and North Korean forces in the summer of 1950. Forty-five years after that hot war ended with an armistice--after claiming the lives of tens of thousands of Americans--cold war persists on the Korean peninsula, and U.S. troops still defend a demilitarized zone 50 miles to the north between the two Koreas.

“One of the greatest threats the world now faces is weapons of mass destruction,” Clinton told the troops. “And though our attention lately has been focused on Iraq’s efforts in that area, North Korea is also a major concern. Here at Osan, you are critical to this most dangerous battleground--deterring and, if necessary, defending against chemical and biological attacks.”

The troops’ role is particularly vital now, the president said, as the “signs of danger have intensified” from North Korea--such as a missile launch over Japan in August and a suspected underground nuclear facility.

“So we must remain vigilant,” said Clinton, dressed in a flight jacket and black baseball cap. “And thanks to you, we are.”

The president told the crowd--representatives of the 37,000 American troops based in South Korea--that the U.S. military’s efforts are critical for supporting democracy in South Korea and defending the South from the Communist North.

The size of the crowd that came to greet the president was underwhelming given that about 11,000 people live on the base, 30 miles south of Seoul, and military personnel were bused in from other bases. The official crowd estimate was 3,500, but that seemed generous.

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Some of the troops who stood in the cold outside a hangar said enthusiasm for seeing the president was tepid because many in the military were disappointed by Clinton’s relationship with Monica S. Lewinsky. The scandal has strained the already difficult relationship Clinton has had with the military because of resentment over his efforts to avoid military service during the Vietnam War, which were broadly publicized during his first presidential campaign.

“He’s much less popular since his recent problems,” said an Air Force major from North Carolina. “That’s why we don’t see a lot of people here today.”

The major, who did not want to be quoted by name, said he had asked several people to go with him to hear the president but was turned down.

After a series of public criticisms of the president’s behavior--including in armed services publications--military authorities have cracked down, reminding personnel that they are forbidden by the Uniform Code of Military Justice from uttering “contemptuous words” against the president.

That message clearly filtered down.

“I can’t comment on the controversial things going on right now concerning the president because I’m in the service,” said Army Maj. Dave Quintero, 36, who is based in Uijongbu, between Seoul and the DMZ.

Quintero, who traveled by bus to see the president, said the scandal did not decrease his interest in seeing the president.

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“This president will be in the history books, so I want to be able to say, ‘I’ve seen the man,’ ” he said.

Senior Airman Pueo Ross, 22, a munitions specialist, wore a winter parka to Clinton’s address.

Ross, who is from Molokai, Hawaii, said he thought the weather, which was raw but above freezing, was more to blame for the poor turnout. Few of his friends went to the speech.

“I think he’s a good president,” Ross said. “He’s done a lot for the economy and to help middle-class people like us.”

Ross said he thinks the president’s behavior was wrong but said he understands Clinton is “human like everybody else.”

“Besides, we don’t have a choice,” Ross added. “He’s our commander in chief. We can’t say anything bad about him.”

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