This attitude stems from President Clinton's obsessional need to be on the popular side of issues. The Helms-Burton measure was widely protested by important U.S. allies - Canada, Mexico and the European Union - when it was before Congress. It was seen as an attempt to impose U.S. policy on other governments - none of which recognize the U.S. embargo.
Clinton initially opposed the bill but changed his position after the Cubans shot down two civilian planes piloted by Cuban Americans a year ago, inflaming relations with Havana at a time when the nation was immersed in the presidential election campaign. Now the administration has gone a step farther by defying the World Trade Organization on behalf of Helms-Burton.
The WTO's creation two years ago was a high priority of the Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations because it was seen as meeting the need for an effective referee of international trade disputes. Regrettably, it depends whose ox is gored. The first time a U.S. policy is at risk, Washington responds with defiance.
This is a childish defense of a bad law. It makes the U.S. look foolish and damages the effectiveness of the WTO, which represents the main hope for settling trade disputes. All that Clinton gets out of it is support from Florida's Cuban-American community, for whom the overthrow of Fidel Castro supersedes any other consideration. That isn't important enough to trash this important international agency.
Reversing his decision four days later, Starr yielded to a torrent of criticism and promised to remain independent counsel until his investigation was completed. The astonishing turnabout may have damaged Starr's credibility, but he showed respect for the public interest in deciding to stay on.
The simple truth is that no one should ride in truck beds because it's dangerous.
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