Bill Clinton Talks on Terrorism

(AP) ^ | October 9, 2001, 10:51 PM EDT | By JENNIFER LOVEN

[Dallas]

WASHINGTON -- Former President Clinton on Tuesday cited at least 15 terrorist attacks thwarted during his administration and said the keys to preventing others are supporting President Bush's current efforts and doing "more to reduce the pool of potential terrorists."

"Though neither I nor anyone can tell you there will not be another terrorist attack on U.S. soil, it will be all right," Clinton told a packed Kennedy Center concert hall. "They still can't win unless we give them permission. We are not about to give them permission."

Clinton also confirmed a failed U.S. attempt in 1996 to have Osama bin Laden arrested in Sudan and placed in Saudi Arabian custody and a CIA-sponsored plan to have Pakistani commandos hunt him down in 1999, abandoned after a military coup there.

Bin Laden is the prime suspect in last month's terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Clinton said bin Laden's network will be difficult to disable.

"He's smart, he's rich, he's ruthless, bold," Clinton said. "What bin Laden is good at is finding the seams in our defenses."

Clinton ticked off a list of thwarted terrorist attacks, including plans to bomb the Holland Tunnel connecting New York City and New Jersey and a flight from Los Angeles to the Philippines and to kill the pope. He said that during the celebrations marking the turn of the century, a dozen terrorist plots were stopped, including planned attacks in the northeastern and northwestern United States, at the Los Angeles airport, a hotel in Jordan and a Christian holy site in the Middle East.

"If we take down barriers, collapse differences, spread knowledge, we are inevitably vulnerable here in ways we never were before," Clinton said.

To combat that reality, Clinton said Bush's fight against terrorism on military, economic, legal and diplomatic fronts is key.

But it is also necessary to work to alleviate poverty and oppression that creates disaffected people ripe for terrorists' arguments. That should include increased debt relief for poor nations, AIDS-fighting funds and democracy-promoting efforts, Clinton said.

"Terrorists ... feel they can recruit among the dispossessed," Clinton said. "We must do more to reduce the pool of potential terrorists."

[razorback-bert]

15 terrorist attacks thwarted

I guess gov clinton can't tell just what was done, because it is in the double secret file.

[Dallas]

He should move to China, and live out the remainder of his years with his kindred.

[Irma]

or potentially exposing

My heart stops whenever I see Clinton and the word "exposing" in the same sentence! ;^)

[daisyscarlett]

You are so right. He has no business discussing anything now. First, he lies so who can believe him. And second, he is only trying to save his legacy. If anything were thwarted when they (yes, Hillary! wants to be credited for being co-President so let us honor her wishes) were in office, you can bet it was by accident and informants. Certainly nothing to do with him and that weird Cabinet he put together.

BTW I liked the link you gave for Laura's PSA. I have not seen it on t.v. yet but I was able to play it on my computer. She is being so mis-protrayed by the pundits. I get sick everytime I see Kati Morton on a show saying that Laura was content to read books in Crawford TX until history thrust this role upon her...She has always intended to be an active first lady standing by her husband and working for education. She simply went to the ranch in February for two weeks to get it furnished.

[FlyVet]

Why do I picture Bill authorizing strikes while being serviced with his trousers down around his ankles?

Maybe because of his similar actions during his presidency?

1) While making Arafat wait.

2) While on the phone with a congressman, looking for support to send US troops into Kosovo.

Ahhh, you're just too suspicious....

[Snow Bunny]

B. Clinton should not even be living out of prison, and prison would be a gift ....prison is not enough punishment for Bill and Hitlery.

[xm177e2]

Former President Clinton on Tuesday cited at least 15 terrorist attacks thwarted during his administration

What an insecure, attention-grabbing little twit. He has to inject himself personally into the situation.

[Dakotabound]

"We must do more to reduce the pool of potential terrorists."

Lessee, bill...by how many terrorists did you increase the pool when you released those we had imprisoned?

[homeschool mama]

**"He's smart, he's rich, he's ruthless, bold," Clinton said.**

Sounds like x42's kind of guy.

[Cicero]

Where the hell does this stuff come from? Does Clinton just put in a call to AP every day on the phone, or what? Why on earth do they keep treating this failed has-been as newsworthy? Would they print it if Jerry Ford called them on the phone and told them what HE thought about terrorism?

Good grief. Time for these idiots to trade in their kneepads and get on with their proper business--reporting the news.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

LOLOLOL.......I hear ya there

[Freedom56v2]

Speaking of terrorists, just how many terrorists did slick pardon in summer 2000?

[Dallas]

Exactly....

A typical narcissistic elitist response...

[rockfish59]

looks like we'll have to find the crazy guy from the movie 'blood feast' when he pulled the woman's tongue out!

(was that hillary?)

[Freedom2specul8]

There IS a list of those he pardoned here at FR...I WISH I would have kept it bookmarked.

[Slyfox]

He should move to China, and live out the remainder of his years with his kindred.

But, I thought his kindred were all in place infested with demons. Oh, yeah, that could be China.

[LADY J]

"We are not about to give them permission."---- Clinton

Who is this WE??? He acts like he has some kind of input in all of this.. Thank God he's out of there!!

Someone mentioned that rich terrorists commit suicide from boredom?? Doesn't Slick have a lot of money now??? Oh well - wishful thinking again!!!

[Dallas]

Speaking of terrorists, just how many terrorists did slick pardon in summer 2000?

Just enough to help Hillary carry NY, I imagine.

[Dallas]

The demon thing will come later.

China will help him get acclimated.

[Paul Atreides]

Clinton ticked off a list of thwarted terrorist attacks, including plans to bomb the Holland Tunnel connecting New York City and New Jersey and a flight from Los Angeles to the Philippines and to kill the pope. He said that during the celebrations marking the turn of the century, a dozen terrorist plots were stopped, including planned attacks in the northeastern and northwestern United States, at the Los Angeles airport, a hotel in Jordan and a Christian holy site in the Middle East.

Funny that we are only just now hearing of all this. Just like we never heard about Obubba Been Laiden's Harlem odyssey upon returning from England until he got up in front of that Harlem office he never visits and made it up on the spot.