ACCESSION NUMBER:247926
FILE ID:EUR409
DATE:10/15/92
TITLE:BUSH, CLINTON FOREIGN POLICIES SAID TO DIFFER LITTLE (10/15/92)
TEXT:*EUR409   10/15/92 *

BUSH, CLINTON FOREIGN POLICIES SAID TO DIFFER LITTLE
1Changes in Congress could also have an effect)  (370)
By David Pitts
USIA Staff Writer
Washington -- The foreign policies of President Bush and Democratic
nominee Bill Clinton differ only in degree, according to two foreign policy
experts, who spoke October 15.

Jeffrey Gedmin, research associate at the American Enterprise Institute and
Christopher Madison, foreign affairs correspondent for The National
Journal, gave their views to a European audience on WorldNet, the satellite
television service of the U.S. Information Agency.

Gedmin said that both Bush and Clinton believe "in a strong U.S. engagement
in Europe."  Whereas President Bush favors an eventual troop level of
150,000, Clinton favors a contingent of about 75,000 to 100,000, he
explained.  Regardless of the eventual level, Gedmin said he expects
congressional pressure "two years down the road" to try to force the troop
level even lower.

Clinton would reduce the Bush defense budget "by only five or six percent,"
Gedmin remarked.  That would be a savings of about $60,000 million dollars,
he added.

As far as the Eurocorps is concerned, Gedmin said that Clinton, as well as
Bush, favor European moves to create a common defense so long as it is a
"complement to NATO."  But Madison said that Clinton has "not really
focused on issues such as this.  There is real ambiguity in his positions,"
he remarked.

The candidates likely would have different approaches in their handling of
crises in the region, Gedlin noted.  "Clinton has taken a harder line in
terms of favoring a stronger U.S. role," he remarked.  "He also would
likely be more active than passive where human rights are concerned," he
remarked.

Madison reminded the foreign audience that the electorate here is not only
electing a president, but also a new Congress, which also has an influence
on U.S. foreign policy.  Although the Senate could possibly be more liberal
and more Democratic, Madison said the reverse could occur in the House of
Representatives.  Because of redistricting, Madison predicted a more
conservative House.  A combination of conservative Democrats and
Republicans could produce an ideological conservative majority, he noted.

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