Jackson’s son rebukes Berkley’s comments

Tuesday, May 4, 1999 | 11:07 a.m.

Rep. Shelley Berkley's criticism of the Rev. Jesse Jackson's role in the release of three American prisoners from the war in Kosovo drew a sharp rebuke from fellow Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., the reverend's son.

Berkley, the freshman Las Vegas Democrat, made remarks about Kosovo during a live studio appearance on the Monday morning radio show on KXPT-FM 97.1 "The Point" hosted by Gregg Hodges and Mike O'Brien. During her 35-minute appearance she praised the release of the three soldiers last weekend but accused Jackson of insulting President Clinton.

"I am very dismayed that Jesse or any American would take it upon themselves (to) get involved in American foreign policy," Berkley said. "We're dealing with a madman that is practicing mass genocide. And to have somebody go there as just a rogue foreign affairs operation, I think it's a terrible mistake, and insulting to the president.

"I think he embarrassed the president terribly at a time when the situation is very, very sensitive."

Rep. Jackson, the Illinois Democrat who represents portions of Chicago, was alerted about Berkley's remarks by Southern Nevadans who e-mailed his Internet website. One of his aides then called the radio station and had them play back a tape of her remarks.

The third-term congressman, who ironically campaigned for Berkley last year in Las Vegas, called her remarks "reckless, offensive and ill-informed." He defended the role of his father and other religious leaders who met with Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

"This was an heroic act negotiated by religious leaders of many denominations from across America in the name of peace and compassion," Rep. Jackson said in a release. "In no way was the superb work of these ministers to free hostages intended to undermine the solidarity behind the NATO mission in the Balkans, nor should it be interpreted that way."

Berkley defended her radio remarks today. But she insisted her statements voicing concerns about individual Americans meddling in foreign relations were not aimed directly at the Rev. Jackson.

"This had nothing to do with Jesse Jackson," Berkley said. "My comments were general policy statements."

Berkley added: "From the very outset of my interview, I congratulated and applauded him for getting those soldiers out of there safely."

In her radio interview, Berkley recalled how actress Jane Fonda was branded by many Americans as a traitor when she visited North Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi during the Vietnam War without permission from the United States government. Berkley also criticized fellow members of Congress who have met with Russian diplomats and refugees from Kosovo because "everyone is dying for a photo op."

Although he did not come under fire from Berkley, Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., was part of a congressional delegation who met with Russian diplomats over the weekend.

"Now we have congressmen and Jesse Jackson and others going there (Yugoslavia) and as far as I'm concerned, negotiating with the enemy," Berkley said. "Again, I'm very happy that the three soldiers are back and safe and in the bosom of their family, but this is not a way to conduct foreign policy."

Rep. Jackson sharply disagreed.

"Berkley's comments represent a woeful misunderstanding of history, recent events and the law. Rev. Jackson went on a humanitarian mission to secure the release of the three American soldiers held captive in Belgrade, not to protest American policy. He succeeded when others have failed. He was completely within his legal right to go to Belgrade. Jane Fonda went to Vietnam to protest American policy and a protracted war that ultimately cost more than 58,000 American lives," Jackson said.

Jackson's response to Berkley could be indicative of a simmering feud between the two congressmen. A member of Jackson's campaign staff, who requested anonymity, said Jackson was dismayed that he made numerous campaign appearances for Berkley in predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Las Vegas in 1998 without her showing up with him at any of those meetings.

Berkley said today she had no animosity toward Rep. Jackson.

Both Hodges and O'Brien defended Berkley. Hodges described Berkley's remarks as a "political tap dance" because she praised the release of the prisoners of war while criticizing the methods employed by Jackson.

"The constituents of Jesse Jackson Jr. are hearing what they want to hear to create a controversy," Hodges said.

O'Brien said he found it refreshing that a politician such as Berkley was speaking her mind.

"Shelley doesn't mince words," O'Brien said. "If you're going to do that, you're not going to please everybody. But people want politicians to be honest."

Sun reporterJeff German contributed to this story.