Editorials
Thursday, May 29, 1997WHEN the Marshall Plan was launched to assist in the rebuilding of a Europe devastated by World War II, the United States offered to include the Soviet Union. But Joseph Stalin, suspicious of American motives, refused. That decision was a pivotal one in launching the Cold War. Clinton’s call for aid
for Eastern EuropeCommemorating the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan at ceremonies in the Netherlands, President Clinton called for more Western assistance to the countries of the former Soviet bloc and Russia itself. However, Clinton did not propose more U.S. government aid -- nothing like the $13 billion ($88 billion in 1997 dollars) that the Truman administration and its successors pumped into 16 European countries under the Marshall Plan.
That was an unprecedently generous and far-sighted decision that helped Europe get back on its feet and ward off communist subversion, but it is not about to be repeated. Foreign aid has fallen out of favor in Washington and Clinton had no intention of proposing an expensive new program.
Rather, he urged more private investment in Eastern Europe along with government guidance in building democratic institutions, explaining, "We can't simply say to those countries (in Eastern Europe), 'We want you to be free democracies, we want you to have economic reform and good luck.' " The West must do what it can to help.
But the president's message was a mixed one. The day before in Paris he signed an agreement with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the leaders of the other NATO countries to tighten Moscow's relationship with the alliance. The agreement was designed to paper over Russia's opposition to the proposed expansion of NATO membership into the former Soviet bloc. Moscow views this plan as a hostile act. Despite the new pact, friction with Russia over NATO's growth may persist.
The Marshall Plan and NATO were the two key post-World War II initiatives that enabled the West to stand up to the Soviet threat. They were Harry Truman's great achievements. Today that threat has collapsed. The challenge now is to integrate the former Soviet bloc into the world community, politically and economically. It still isn't clear what NATO has to do with this.
ALREADY under assault by the Food and Drug Administration, a giant of the tobacco industry now is being broadsided by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC has charged R.J. Reynolds with unfair advertising practices by targeting children with Joe Camel ads. Joe Camel's appeal
Despite corporate denials, the ad campaign obviously has been aimed at children, and it's time for the "cool" cartoon character with dark sunglasses to be removed from billboards, magazines and animal crackers.
THE state Ethics Commission has dismissed a bribery accusation against state Sen. James Aki. The case had to do with allegations that Sukarman Sukamto, an Indonesian developer, offered to help Aki develop family property in Nanakuli if Aki would let Milton Holt become Senate president, a post then held by Aki. The senator admitted asking Sukamto if he would be interested in developing the property but insisted there was no quid pro quo. The FBI also investigated the case but no federal charges resulted. Clearing Senator Aki
It's taken too long, but we are pleased to see Aki cleared by the Ethics Commission.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
