Clinton’s Anti-Vietnam War Stand Has Supporter in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — President Saddam Hussein, trying to mend fences with the United States, praised President Clinton’s opposition to the Vietnam War and urged him to display similar wisdom in dealing with Iraq.

“There are some trying to portray the anti-war past of Clinton as a matter of personal weakness, while we consider such a stand a mark of strength,” Hussein said in remarks published in Iraqi newspapers Sunday.

He made the comments in what was described as “a thorough and comprehensive political dialogue” Saturday with former U.S. Atty. Gen. Ramsey Clark, a vocal opponent of the 1991 Persian Gulf War that drove Iraq from Kuwait.

A transcript of their 70-minute talk was read on state radio and television and published in full in Iraqi newspapers.

It was the first public mention of Clinton by the Iraqi leader since he announced a unilateral cease-fire, after U.S.-led air and missile attacks on Iraq, in an inauguration-eve offering to the new American leader.

“We and all of humanity consider this (anti-war) aspect of Clinton’s personality to be a mark of strength,” Hussein said.

“The problem is whether the information and advice given to him would keep him on this path . . . or he would take another after becoming President.

“In short, is he going to use wisdom or weaponry?”

Iraqi media and officials have avoided criticizing Clinton, despite what are seen as tough statements regarding Hussein and Iraq’s post-Persian Gulf War behavior.

Pledges by Clinton to pursue the Bush Administration’s Iraq policy and to never normalize relations with Baghdad while Hussein remains in power have largely been ignored.