THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409210405
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Now the hard part comes in Haiti, nearly everyone is saying.
To the contrary, the hard part, always, comes in invading the coast of a foe. Hard on us at home, harder yet on troops sent ashore.
Nothing in politics compares to a soldier, sailor or Marine under fire in a foreign country.
Thanks to President Clinton and a remarkable three-man negotiating team, our nation has been spared the grief of seeing young men die.
Now comes the long, vexing part of trying to make sense of Haiti, in which, at times, everybody seems at odds. As yet, discord prevails.
But be assured, it is not as difficult as being shot at and having to shoot to kill. That is hard.
That overnight we found ourselves still at peace seemed almost a miracle.
First, Clinton overrode objections of aides, notably Secretary of State Warren Christopher, in turning loose former President Carter, joined by Gen. Colin Powell and Sen. Sam Nunn, to deal with the Haitians.
Carter comes as near as any politician to sainthood. And saints can be exasperating company. Every country should have one near-saint; no country could stand two of the intensity of Carter.
Tempering Carter's tendency to find good in the unlikeliest places was astute Nunn. He could assure the Haitians that the mood of Congress was not exactly that reflected by loud TV panelists and oafish network talk-show hosts.
Finally, among Americans, Powell's popularity and reputation for probity come close to their regard for George Washington. And he has the dignity, inscrutable features, military comportment, and crisp tone to cower tin-pot despots.
While thanking the trio, many Republicans seemed unable to utter the president's name. Asked about Clinton's role in averting an invasion, Sen. Robert Dole would only say: ``Obviously, we're pleased emissaries were sent there.''
But at least the president may draw comfort, briefly, in not being denounced.
Some Republicans had said that Clinton knows only a policy of crisis. But Haiti has been a problem through two administrations. His critics, when pressed for a solution themselves, strayed away without offering one, muttering like departing thunder.
What to do about Haiti was beyond many of us. Clinton's adversaries had counted on haranguing him about Haiti for the rest of his term.
Discovery of a prospect of solving the ugly dilemma of Haiti may moderate criticism of Clinton's vacillation on Cuba.
Keep it up and the Republicans may push him into sending Jimmy Carter to rehabilitate Castro, and then, amid the jubilation, lift the embargo and renew relations with Cuba.
The GOP's Rep. Henry Hyde said Clinton is very, very lucky.
It helps, too, when Lady Luck appears to have the wit to take her hand. by CNB