DATE=5/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON / TERROR (L)
NUMBER=2-262483
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  President Clinton is seeking an additional 
300-million dollars to fight global terrorism.  Mr. 
Clinton made the announcement Wednesday in a 
commencement address at the U-S Coast Guard Academy, 
where he discussed new threats to U-S national 
security in the 21st century.  Correspondent Deborah 
Tate reports from New London, Connecticut.


Text:  Mr. Clinton's increased funding request brings 
to nine-billion dollars the amount of money he is 
seeking to combat terrorism -- a 40 percent increase 
over three years ago.

In appealing to Congress to pass the funding, the 
president spoke of potential threats to Americans in 
recent months -- including a bomb plot uncovered with 
the help of Jordanian officials late last year.

            /// Clinton Act ///

      Last December, working with Jordan, we shut down 
      a plot to place large bombs at locations where 
      Americans might gather on New Year's eve.  We 
      learned this plot was linked to terrorist camps 
      in Afghanistan and the organization created by 
      Osama bin Laden, the man responsible for the 
      1998 bombings of our embassies in Tanzania and 
      Kenya which cost the lives of Americans and 
      hundreds of Africans.

            /// End Act ///

Mr. Clinton said shortly thereafter a customs agent 
discovered bomb materials -- which he said were 
similar to those used by Osama bin Laden -- being 
smuggled into the United States.

The comments were the president's most extensive to 
date about the activities of the Saudi exile, who is 
believed to be in Afghanistan and is among 17 people 
charged in the embassy bombing cases.

But Mr. Clinton said terrorists who want to use bombs 
are just one type of threat facing Americans in the 
21st century.

Others include the use of the internet by terrorists, 
and so-called "cybercrime."  He warned that the 
computer virus believed to have been unleashed earlier 
this month by a student in the Philippines -- which 
was spread by electronic mail and disabled computers 
worldwide -- is just a sample of the new threats the 
world faces in a technological age.

He also cautioned about the threat China could pose to 
U-S national security if the United States does not 
step up its engagement with the world's most populous 
nation.   As the House of Representatives prepares to 
vote on permanent normal trade relations for China 
next week, Mr. Clinton warned of the implications of 
voting down the measure.

            /// Clinton Act ///

      If Congress votes no, it will strengthen the 
      hand, ironically, of the very people the 
      opponents of this agreement claim to fight.  It 
      will strengthen the hand of the reactionary 
      elements in the military and state-owned 
      industries who want America for an opponent to 
      justify their control and adherence to old ways 
      and repression of personal freedom.  I believe a 
      no vote invites a future of dangerous 
      confrontation and constant insecurity.

            /// End Act ///

The vote is expected to be close, with some Democrats 
reluctant to back freer trade with China, fearing it 
will lead to a loss of American jobs and would reward 
Beijing for its questionable human rights record and 
its tensions with Taiwan.

Mr. Clinton also renewed his appeal to Congress to 
pass his one-point-six-billion dollar aid package to 
Colombia to fight drug trafficking, which the 
president identified as another threat to national 
security.

            /// Rest Opt ///

He also argued that the global spread of diseases such 
as AIDS and malaria have national security 
implications, as does climate change, which he said 
could disrupt crop patterns and disrupt food supplies.  
He called on lawmakers to pass his initiatives aimed 
at combating these problems.

After speaking, Mr. Clinton handed out baccalaureate 
degrees and commissions as ensigns to more than 180 
graduating Coast Guard cadets.   Five of those 
graduates are from other nations and were sworn in to 
their countries' respective military services by their 
ambassadors or defense attaches.  The five are from 
Russia, Bulgaria, Jordan, St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.   (signed)

NEB/DAT/JP




17-May-2000 14:32 PM EDT (17-May-2000 1832 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.