Clinton defends Clark against Shelton's allegations

[jumptheshadow]

According to the Times today, President Clinton submitted a letter to the United Nations Tribunal in the Hague defending General Wesley Clark against Gen. Hugh Shelton's "integrity and character" allegations.

Former President Slobodan Milosevic had cited Hugh Shelton's assessment of Clark while Clark was testifying against him in The Hague.

Clinton's letter reporterdly read:

"Contrary to Mr. Milosevic's claim, General Wesley Clark carried out the policy of the NATO alliance, which was to stop massive ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, with great skill, integrity and iron determination."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/17/international/europe/17TRIB.html

[candy331]

1. I guess this shows why

Gen Schwarzkof(sp)backed off his highly charged stance against Dean yesterday, since he had been using what Shelton said to cover his comments.

[jumptheshadow]

2. Kick

To counterbalance the dozens of threads that have cited Shelton's statements.

[TexasPatriot]

3. what's really good about this

and regardless of the campaign outcome, is that a high ranking member of the US govt went over there and stuck 'intent' on that monster. Watching the war in the balkans, listening to stories about it on radio pacifica or npr, i felt terribly frustrated that here was a case for actually stopping genocide and because these people didnt have oil we didnt give a crap.

But it turned out Clinton did. Unlike asshats like Trent Lott, who were only concerned with 'national interests' - dems spent domestic political capital to make the world a better place. These are the times i'm proud to be an american.

[Rowdyboy]

4. Damn right....

We stopped wholesale ethnic slaughter with a minimal loss of life-All those who try to smear Wes Clark with the label of "war criminal" should be ashamed. The WORLD is calling your bluff today with General Clark's testimony.

[Devils Advocate NZ]

5. Wholesale ethnic slaughter?

The US killed more Iraqi civillians in three weeks than it is claimed that Serb forces killed Albainians in Kosovo after a year of war! The total of supposedly murdered Kosovo Albanians is under three thousand.

By the way, Clark was bombing the Serbs for fighting the KLA, while the KLA were being assisted by Bin Ladin to expel non-Muslims from Kosovo.

So Bin Ladin and Clark were fighting for the same team...

Makes you think doesn't it?

[Rowdyboy]

14. Sorry, I don't buy the apologists

arguments for Serbia. I think remarkable restraint was shown against the Serbs.

[Devils Advocate NZ]

15. It always strikes me as funny...

that people like you can criticise Bush's actions in Iraq, while praising Clark's actions in Serbia (unless of course you believe the attack on Iraq was justified too, that is).

The fact is, the US involvement in Yugoslavia, which was designed to break up and dominate a nation that refused to bend to US will, was started by George Bush Snr, and was little different from what happened in Iraq.

The US supported terrorists who killed thousands of innocent people (in the case of Kosovo, Albanians and Serbs alike) and then used the response to those attacks as "justification" for an attack on a nation that had done nothing that the US is not doing now (fighting terrorists).

As I said, Clark supported the KLA, and so did Osama bin Ladin, and that makes Clark a supporter of terrorists.

[VolcanoJen]

7. Great post, TexasPatriot! And way to go, Big Dog!!

:D :D :D

[TacticalPeek]

11. "proud to be an american"

There it is.

[Toucano]

6. Shelton's silence since that statement

proves who really has the character and integrity issues!

[TrueAmerican]

8. The truth is coming out!

Vote for Clark!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=929481

[Loonman]

9. Shelton is a paid liar

Probably.

[eleny]

10. Generals and Politicians

Seems like it's been a tough relationship through history between them. In our time here are a few:
Eisenhower and his superiors strongly disagreed about the North African campaign in WWII, McArthur vs Truman is legendary, Clark vs Cohen and recently Shinseki vs Wolfowitz/Rummy.

[Bandit]

12. But but but Clinton tells lies

:shrug: It doesn't matter what we as Americans think because this is the Hague and they Respect President Clinton while they abhor Bush*

[Bucky]

13. I wonder how Shelton feels about his newest "fan"

Jeeze, this must be so embarrassing to Shelton. I wonder if one reason Hugh is clamming up lately is because of his relationship with Edwards. If Clark gets the nom, Edwards is on the short list for VP, which will put Hugh in a good position to offer advice to the new administration.

My prediction, Shelton'll stay quiet through the end of the election, or until it seems that (1) Clark won't be nominated or (2) Clark is nominated but clearly won't win. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't already feel like his comments crossed the line in how to treat a fellow officer and just doesn't know how to back out of it.

Rivals or no, his personal convictions about Clark ignored, army guys are pretty loyal to their alma mater and I'm sure Hugh heard from not a few colleagues telling him to shut the hell up.