Abstract

Editorials

The article presents information related to several political issues. In Washington, the generals are in revolt. Egged on by Republican legislators, the Joint Chiefs have launched a frontal assault on U.S. President Bill Clinton's military budget, seeking to add billions for the purchase of new weapons. The unseemly coup attempt is led by Floyd Spence of South Carolina, chairman of the House National Security Committee. Republicans gave $7 billion more to the Pentagon than it asked for this year; their budget plan calls for adding $13 billion to its request for next year. To drum up support, Spence asked each of the Joint Chiefs if he wanted more money. In 1994 Clinton spoke out for a comprehensive ban on land mines in an address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since that time he has toed the line for the Pentagon, which has steadfastly opposed this goal. But now, because of the situation in Bosnia, where the toll of land-mine casualties among IFOR troops continues to rise almost daily, the effect of the proliferation of mines has begun to hit home.