Wednesday, April 18, 2001

B+ for Bush on first foreign policy test

By DAVE HAMRICK
Editor-at-large

I'm kind of surprised that some critics are trying to paste the "wimp" label on the president over this little incident in China.

I can understand those who complained that he was too strident in the beginning of the crisis, and even those who argue that he should have given the Chinese what they wanted a full apology.

In every crisis, there are those who clamor for appeasement.

But I don't understand the hawks who are upset with the administration for expressing sorrow that someone died.

Even though the guy was obviously a hot dog who was trying to intimidate our reconnaissance plane with a little high-speed cat-and-mouse, I'm sorry about the result, and I'm glad our government has enough respect for human life to express that sorrow.

If you're going to call the U.S. and its president a wimp for that, I have to wonder about your own respect for human life.

That doesn't mean I'm ready at this juncture to give Dubya an unqualified kudos on the handling of the situation. I'm not, because the situation isn't over yet.

Now that we've got our people back, we've stepped up the rhetoric. Bush and administration people have been at the microphones making it clear we think the accident was the Chinese pilot's fault, and that China handled the matter poorly.

I'm not entirely comfortable with that. We made nice while they could hurt us, and immediately started pointing fingers as soon as we got our folks out of harm's way. That does seem sort of ... well, sort of wimpy.

But the real test will be in how the administration interacts with the government of China over the coming months.

For one thing, I'll be right on the bandwagon with the hawkish critics if we don't get back on the horse and immediately start sending reconnaissance planes on the same course. Gathering intelligence on your "competitors" Bush's word to describe our relationship with China now that adults have reestablished control of U.S. foreign policy is standard operating procedure in today's world. He who shrinks from that reality will get his clock cleaned in the worldwide competition game.

And let's not forget the numerous recent incidents in which we have discovered Chinese operatives with their hands thrust deep into the cookie jar of our technological and military secrets.

To back down and put a stop to our reconnaissance flights in response to their complaints would be the height of wimpdome.

So far it looks like we don't have anything to worry about on that score. All reports are that Bush intends to continue the flights.

For instance, the Washington Times reported Friday that he has "vowed" to do so. Here's a quote from the article. "Reconnaissance flights are a part of a comprehensive national security strategy that helps maintain peace and stability in our world."

So far, it looks like Bush is listening to his hawk and dove advisers, making up his mind and moving forward with confidence.

If that continues, I'll be singing his praises on foreign policy.

Now if he can just get that tax cut moving. ...

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