NYPost

BUBBA: I'D FIGHT AND DIE FOR ISRAEL By ANDY GELLER and RICHARD JOHNSON

August 2, 2002 -- Bill Clinton - who avoided serving in Vietnam - says he would take up arms and "fight and die" for Israel if Iraq attacks the Jewish state. "If Iraq came across the Jordan River, I would grab a rifle and get in the trench and fight and die," the ex-president said to wild applause at a Jewish fund-raiser in Toronto.

Clinton made his bombshell remarks to 350 people who paid $1,000 to break bread with him on Monday night at a dinner for the Toronto Hadassah-WIZO children's charity.

Clinton, who tried but failed to make peace in the Middle East the legacy of his presidency, decried the current cycle of violence in Israel.

"I don't think there is a military solution to this," he said. "But I know there's not a terrorist solution to it."

Clinton also said he disagreed with President Bush that peace can be achieved only when Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is gone from power.

Nevertheless, he said it is important for the United States to remain involved because "Israelis believe that America is the only big country that cares if they live or die."

The ex-president said the best solution to the Middle East conflict is an interim settlement that would "establish a Palestinian state now."

But he stressed that the creation of such a state must be preceded by security assurances for Israel and a timetable to resolve other issues.

Clinton said Arafat made a "disastrous mistake" by turning down past peace proposals that would have given the Palestinian leader control of 97 percent of the West Bank.

Yet, Clinton said, "There is reason for hope.

"I think this will be resolved on the terms the Palestinians walked away from."

Turning his attention to another conflict, Clinton cited India and Pakistan as countries that must move forward with peace.

"They are a classic example of the tragedy that can result when people become obsessed with holding on to yesterday's grievances," he said.

Clinton couldn't be reached for comment yesterday because he was on a plane to Aspen, Colo., his spokeswoman said.

Clinton, who opposed the Vietnam War, signed up for the ROTC to avoid immediate induction when he received a draft call in 1969.

He later changed his mind about the ROTC and decided to take his chances with the new draft lottery.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2002

Answers

Talk about shameless!

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2002

If he jumped in a trenched both sides would aim at him.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2002