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General Clark, who is considered a possible candidate for the 2004 Democratic Presidential Nomination, also pointed out that many NATO allies have abandoned their policies of discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual troops. Openly gay troops from allied nations "already are" serving together in joint exercises with the U.S., he said. "And they served together in Kosovo and in Bosnia and so forth." The United States "should welcome people that want to serve," Gen. Clark told host Tim Russert. A new study by the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military (CSSMM) and published by Parameters, the official journal of the U.S. Army War College, was cited in General Clark's interview. The study, titled Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Is the Gay Ban Based on Military Necessity presents lessons from four countries that lifted their gay bans. It is available at http://www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu/Publications/2003_BelkinInParameters.pdf A partial unedited transcript of General Clark's appearance on Meet the Press follows: Mr. Russert: So you have no problem having openly gay Americans serve in the military as long as they abided by the same code of conduct that heterosexuals abided by? General Clark: Well, the British have a system that-they put this in the British system. They call it- they said, "Don't ask, don't misbehave." I think the leaders in the armed forces will look at that some day. But I have to tell you, also, we have got a lot of other issues on the plate for the United States armed forces, and this is one among many. And the men and women charged with those responsibilities need to look at those issues. But this is only one issue. Mr. Russert: But it's an important one to many Americans. Parameters, which is a journal published by the U.S. Army War College Quarterly, has an article by Professor Aaron Belkin of the University of California. He says that 24 countries now have gays in the military, most of our NATO partners. Would you allow American troops to serve in joint exercises with NATO partners that had gays in the military? General Clark: They already are. And they served together in Kosovo and in Bosnia and so forth. Mr. Russert: That being the point, should the United States not allow openly gay people to serve in the military? General Clark: Well, I think we need to charge the men and women responsible for the armed forces to come forward with that answer. I think that has to come from them based on what we need for the armed forces, as well as, you know, their concerns about society as a whole. Mr. Russert: But you'd look at changing the policy? General Clark: Absolutely. Clark served as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO from 1997 until 2000 and was also Commander-in-Chief of the United States Southern Command and Commander-in-Chief of the United States European Command. Among his military decorations are the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star Medal (two awards), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), and the Army Commendation Medal (two awards). Clark is a 1966 graduate of West Point Academy. C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), welcomed Clark's comments. "Clearly, Gen. Clark has seen that lesbian, gay and bisexual troops are serving our allies well," Osburn said. "His experience, and the experiences of our NATO allies, has shown that national security and military readiness are enhanced when every able-bodied person is allowed to serve. Our leaders should heed Gen. Clark's call to welcome every American, regardless of their sexual orientation, to our armed forces." Of the nine declared Democratic presidential candidates, eight have voiced support for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." |
Former NATO Commander Gen. Wesley Clark is not an official candidate for the presidency, but several groups are attempting to draft Clark into the race