Gibbons skeptical, but others in Nevada delegation support attack

Mark D. Preston

Friday, Aug. 21, 1998 | 10:54 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., questioned the timing of President Clinton's decision to launch simultaneous missile attacks Thursday against terrorist bases in Afghanistan and Sudan, saying it might be an attempt to shift focus away from his personal problems.

"My reaction today with military force raises some very serious questions as to whether or not this was based on some attempts to cloud (Clinton's) personal problems, or if it truly involved national security," said Gibbons, a member of both the House Select Intelligence Committee and House National Security Committee.

"I honestly have doubts about today's strike," Gibbons said.

Nevada's other congressman, John Ensign, supported the action and urged all "Americans to stand firmly behind our military men and women who are on the front lines of this war.

"We must continue to support decisive and necessary military strikes with appropriate congressional involvement against those individuals and groups who conduct and support acts of terrorism," Ensign said.

Although his opinion differed from those of other members of the state's delegation, Gibbons was not alone nationally in questioning Clinton's decision, three days after the president admitted to an extramarital affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., also suggested Clinton had called for the missile attack to divert attention away from his personal problems. Later, Specter said during an appearance on CNN's Crossfire program that he supported the president's decision after talking with U.S. military advisers.

Nevada's two Democratic senators said the president's timing was appropriate in response to the recent two U.S. Embassy bombings in East Africa.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., a member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, said he supported the president's decision to strike against the terrorist bases.

"The president has the duty to take action, and he did," Bryan said. "I don't think the (missile strike) was unusual."

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., also supported the president's decision.

"We cannot afford to let rogue organizations and states attack Americans and American property with impunity," Reid said.

"We must remind them that their terrible actions have consequences and will not be tolerated."