President Clinton says the United States cannot solve the world's problems, but "we will not hesitate to act alone" when vital interests are at stake. He defended his foreign policy against suggestions that he has been indecisive, particularly on Bosnia.
But he conceded in a 90-minute internationally televised appearance that "the problems are more difficult than I thought."Clinton issued tough new warnings to Haiti's military rulers and North Korea's Communist government.
He said wielding U.S. military force to restore democracy in Haiti remains an option and "we cannot rule it out anymore."
But he seemed less assertive on how to resolve the bloodshed in Bosnia, saying on CNN's "Global Forum" Tuesday night that he had underestimated how long it would take to get NATO to adopt a common policy.
Clinton ranged the global spectrum, answering questions from international journalists at the Carter Center auditorium in Atlanta and in four other cities.
"This is a pivotal moment in the affairs of our world," Clinton said. He said leadership of United States was "indispensable" in resolving major conflicts and threats to security - and that he planned to exercise this leadership.
While saying the United States wanted to be "a partner, not a dictator" in the internal events of countries and would act in conjunction with the United Nations when possible, Clinton declared: "When our most important interests are at stake, we will not hesitate to act alone if necessary."
Still, he said, "America cannot solve every problem and must not become the world's policeman."
"Not every issue is one that you can put the entire wealth, the entire military might, the entire prestige of the United States on the line for," he said. "But many issues are things that are worthy of our best efforts within the limits of our ability to proceed."
Clinton advisers hope the president's performance will help bolster his image in the foreign policy arena - not usually identified as one of his strong suits.
From Sarajevo, CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour asked him a question that implied his policy on Bosnia was one of constant flip-flops.
Clearly irritated, Clinton snapped: "There have been no constant flip-flops, madam."
He said a negotiated settlement remains the only way to end the strife in the former Yugoslavia.
But he did concede that during his 1992 presidential campaign, when he demanded tougher U.S. action to curb the killing in Bosnia, he underestimated the difficulty of getting European allies to agree on a policy.
"I wish it had happened overnight," he said. "I don't think you can say that the world community could have intervened and changed the course of this war or should have intervened on one side or the other."
Overall, he said: "I don't mind being criticized, but I do think it's not fair to say that we have been unprincipled or vacillating. That's just not true."
Clinton also warned North Korean leaders that they risked being further isolated from the global community and risked "having more difficult things happen" if they continue to try to shield their nuclear program from international inspections.
Clinton hinted that he wanted to renew most-favored-trade status to China on the June 3 deadline, although he signaled it would not be without some misgivings.
"I believe that if we were to withdrawn most-favored-nation status from China, it would undermine what I hope to see from our relationship. I do not wish that to happen."
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Clinton hires lawyer to handle threat of lawsuit
The first order of business for President Clinton's new personal attorney, Robert Bennett, is a threatened lawsuit by a former Arkansas state employee who says Clinton made an unwanted sexual advance in 1991.
Paula Jones planned to file a civil suit Thursday in Little Rock, Ark., accusing Clinton of causing her "severe emotional distress" and violating her civil rights, according to her attorney, Daniel Traylor. The statute of limitations on the alleged incident runs out May 8. The White House denies the incident took place.
Traylor has not given any indication that the hiring of Bennett would change his mind about suing. He said he would be seeking an apology from Clinton and "some type of damages." On Tuesday, Bennett told The Associated Press that Jones' attorney sought a job for her in exchange for her silence, but Clinton rejected the idea.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that two of Jones' family members and two friends said she had told them about the incident with Clinton on the day it allegedly occurred.