US won't stay on top, says Clinton

canberra.yourguide.com.au (downunder) ^ | Monday, 25 February 2002 | AAP (?)

[It'salmosttolate]

US won't stay on top, says Clinton

AAP
Monday, 25 February 2002
Sydney

ACKNOWLEDGING the United States would not be the world's most powerful nation forever might lead to a better approach in its current international relations, former US president Bill Clinton said today.

Speaking at the 2002 World Congress on the Peaceful Reunification of China and World Peace in Sydney, Mr Clinton said this "brief moment in history" when the US had pre-eminent military, economic and political power, would not last.

"This is just a period, a few decades this will last, and I think that all of us who are Americans should think about this and ask ourselves how do we wish this moment to be judged 50 years from now," he said.

"And how would we like to be treated when we no longer have this pre-eminent position and we have to work in a cooperative fashion with others to a far greater extent than we have to do today.

"It seems to me if we would think about it like that it would be much more likely to lead all Americans, without regard of their party, to making the right decisions about how we should approach a lot of these problems that we face."

The former president said he did not want to be critical of the current US Administration.

"I feel that I should be careful in what I say [but] I believe that the [current US] President has been much more interested in international cooperation since September 11th, and I take that to be a very positive sign," Mr Clinton said.

He also said he hoped President George W. Bush's recent visit to Korea would have a positive outcome.

"I certainly have no illusions about the North Korean Government," he said.

". . . But the fact is they ended their nuclear program in 94, in 98 they ended testing of long-range missiles and in 2000 we had the elements of an agreement with them to end their entire missile program."

Mr Clinton's comments come after Mr Bush named North Korea as one country in its "axis of evil" along with Iraq and Iran last month.

Mr Bush visited South Korea for the first time last week. AAP

[Texaggie79]

I wouldn't expect anything else from x42.

[Dog Gone]

Wow, he sounds like Pat Buchanan.

[b4its2late]

He should know. He tried his darndest ot knock us down.

[irish_lad]

Another instance of the Stainmaster trying to protect his ass. Clinton cut deals with China and North Korea that have damaged the international community, and proliferated nuclear problems for the world. I also admire how Slick ignored the UBL problem while he was using Monica as a humidor.

[f.Christian]

Clintomaniac picked up where Jimminy carter left off!

[eddie willers]

Wow, he sounds like Pat Buchanan.

I don't know...this seems very Carterish.
He should put on a sweater and talk about malaise.

[SBeck]

If you can get beyond the slimebag that he is, his comments have a kernel of truth. Looming on the economic horizon is China and later Russia, the former because of their vast potential in terms of human resources (not to mention a good deal of industrial might - the result of shipping manufacturing jobs to them, bottom line you know) and the later because of petroleum and other non-renewable resources.

In addition, don't discount India and the nations of the sub-Sahara for the same reasons.

[RecallJeffords]

This is exactly the attitude that left us vulnerable September 11, e.g. we were the first terrorists because of lynchings in bygone era, so we had it coming. The view that the US is destined for the ash heap of history is an odd one for an American President, but Clinton was always more interested in impressing academics, the media and chicks than protecting the country.

[NativeNewYorker]

Translation: Rest of world, fear not. The Democrats will do everything they can, for as long as it takes, to make sure the US does not enjoy its edge for long. Don't compromise with the US. Don't take Bush seriously. Be patient. The future will be yours.

TRAITOR.

[bfree]

Well the jerk won't go away, so I can only hope Pres. Reagan outlives this traitor!!

[It'salmosttolate]

Does anyone have the pic of him sitting under the communist flag similar to the Esquire pose.

[Reagan Man]

This jerk is starved for attention.

Clinton's like a canker. A sore that won't go away.

[Dog Gone]

I was thinking of Pat's book, Death of the West, and all that negativity.

But it does remind me more of Carter, now that you mention it.

Of course, the unspoken corollary to this is that nobody presided over a greater country than Clinton. Naturally.

[Euro-American Scum]

Mr Clinton said this "brief moment in history" when the US had pre-eminent military, economic and political power, would not last.

Yes. Well, we all know about Bill Clinton and his commitment to America's Armed Forces.

Bill Clinton's Draft Avoidance

[MotleyGirl70]

I'm shocked x42 would say this, shocked I tell you. /sarcasm

[Endeavor]

I couldn't disagree with you more. This is typical left wing horsesh*t. Treating future or current world powers with kid gloves (ie: as if we don't have long on top of the heap) is not going to matter one iota in how they will treat us in the future, no matter what that future US status is. That's like saying we want to treat the detainees at GITMO with kid gloves so that the same terrorist groups who killed 3,000 innocents on Sept 11th, who cut off Danny Pearl's head, etc. will treat our prisoners/hostages "better."

It's about time the left wing figured out that no matter how much joy and light Daniel Pearl brought into the world, his naivete and theirs regarding the utter ruthlessness of the barbarians we are facing, will continue to be a threat to the security of America.

[HENRYADAMS]

Statement: "US won't stay on top, says Clinton."

Response: He is right-for once.( By electing this man twice. With full knowledge of just how rotten he is the American people have clearly signaled they are on the way towards the 'ash heap of history.' The election of this man was a lesson in semiotics!)

[kassie]

We have him to blame for military cuts, complete lack of morality, and high taxes. What a guy, what an idiot, scum,creep, rapist,liar, IMPEACHED 42 president. Wxactly what does he know, anyway?? Just wishful thinking on his part.

[RLK]

ACKNOWLEDGING the United States would not be the world's most powerful nation forever

--------------------------

With presidents such as him, and Hillary ready to take his place, I can will believe it.