Clinton's foreign-policy legacy

President Clinton will leave the worst national security legacy of any president in the last 100 years, according to Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., considered Capitol Hill's leading expert in Russian studies, and a senior member of the House National Security Committee.

In an exclusive interview with WorldNetDaily, Weldon said, "The Clinton administration foreign policy is totally bankrupt. President Clinton is a foreign policy nightmare."

Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., chairman of the Military Research and Development Subcommittee.

In his role as chairman of the House Military Research and Development Subcommittee, Weldon oversees the development and testing of key military systems, weapons programs and technologies that fulfill military needs.

"The Clinton administration policy with Russia is a disaster. After the Soviet Union fell, the Russian people danced in the streets, declaring their love for America. In 1992, (former President) Boris Yeltsin made a historic speech when he first came to power, declaring a new strategic partnership with America," Weldon said.

"Now they are throwing stones and paint at our embassy in Moscow," stated Weldon grimly. "In 1999, in his last speech while in power, Boris Yeltsin declared a new strategic partnership, a partnership between Russia and China against America."

There is growing evidence that the Russian and Chinese partnership also means increased weapons sales from Moscow.

On Tuesday, WorldNetDaily reported that

the U.S. Navy intended to purchase Russian missiles -- the same type previously sold to China. The Chinese missiles are reportedly armed with nuclear warheads.

Weldon promised to hold "classified" hearings on U.S. Navy attempts to buy Russian-made 3M82 Moskit (NATO code-name SS-N-22 Sunburn) anti-ship missiles.

3M82 Moskit anti-ship cruise missile, NATO code-named "Sunburn." Weldon questions whether the U.S. Navy can stop the supersonic cruise missile. Illustration by Charles Smith.

"We are ready to hold hearings, including classified sessions, to study the Sunburn issue. I don't think we can defend ourselves against this kind of technology. The Russians are said to be bankrupt and backwards, yet here we are buying the leading edge of weapons technology from Russia," said Weldon.

In July 1999, defense analyst Richard D. Fisher wrote an evaluation of the Russian-built Sunburn missile being sold to China. Fisher, a former defense analyst for Rep. Chris Cox, R-Calif., now working for a Washington-based think tank, says the U.S. Navy cannot stop the Sunburn.

"The Raduga Moskit (Sunburn) anti-ship missile is perhaps the most lethal anti-ship missile in the world," wrote Fisher in a review of the Chinese navy.

"The Moskit combines a Mach 2.5 speed with a very low-level flight pattern that uses violent end maneuvers to throw off defenses. After detecting the Moskit, the U.S. Navy Phalanx point defense system may have only 2.5 seconds to calculate a fire solution -- not enough time before the devastating impact of a 750-lb. warhead."

WorldNetDaily has also covered another Navy project to acquire advanced Russian missiles, the

Zvezda Kh-31A (NATO code-named AS-17 Krypton) supersonic missile. The sales of the target version of the missile, designated Ma-31, are part of an ongoing deal between Boeing and Zvezda-Strela State Scientific-Industrial Centre to deliver 200 Ma-31 missiles to the U.S. Navy.

U.S. Navy F-4 Phantom firing a Zvezda Ma-31 target cruise missile during a recent test. Weldon says he intends to hold classified hearings on whether illegal payments were made to the Russian military. Photo by Boeing/McDonnell Douglas.

The Zvezda missile deal with Moscow, however, is reportedly flawed. Each Ma-31 sale included an alleged kickback of over $200,000 intended for Russian generals.

Weldon promised to look into the allegations of bribery.

"I am not surprised that the Zvezda Ma-31 missile deal may have included illegal payments to the Russian military. This is one of the things we will be talking about in the classified hearings," noted Weldon.

According to Weldon, Russia is a world leader in military technology. Weldon asserts that Russia is also selling missile technology to other hostile powers.

"The Russian military continues to lead the world with the best weapons," noted Weldon. "The Russian government continues to invest heavily in advanced military technology. The Russian military investments also include money from the United States, profits from sales to our military like the Sunburn and Ma-31 missiles, and from other funds.

"Russia continues to operate a robust military research and development program. Russian missile technology is being sold to Iran, Iraq and North Korea," said Weldon.

"The current flap over the alleged U.S. spy caught by the Russians is centered on advanced Russian submarine propulsion technology -- Russian military technology that is superior to U.S. systems.

"We can engage Russia and China," suggested Weldon. "There are three fundamental rules to a solid foreign policy: strength, consistency and candor. Clinton has shown none of these. We must present Russia and China with a strong national defense, a consistent set of policies, with candid and direct negotiations."

There are indications that Weldon may be right in his evaluation of President Clinton. In his last year as president, Clinton has been unable to pass many of his foreign policy objectives through an ever more wary Congress. Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., the House minority leader, recently split with the president over foreign policy issues, including trade with China.

Weldon made it clear that Clinton has become unpopular even in his own party.

"Clinton is a national disgrace. Bill Clinton will leave the worst national security legacy of any president in the last 100 years. Both the Democrats and Republicans have no confidence in this administration. This is because of the misadventures of Bill Clinton's foreign policy," noted Weldon.

"The Clinton administration gets away with things like a short-term, two-week effort with Prime Minister Blair to kick out Milosovic. Twelve months and several billion dollars later, the failed effort has left Milosovic in power, thousands of U.S. troops stuck in an endless deployment, and thousands of innocent Serbs dead.

"Unfortunately, the next president will have to pay for Clinton's misadventures. The American people will have to pay. It could be in Korea, in Taiwan, in the Middle East or with Pakistan and India," concluded the representative somberly.

Previous stories:

Navy to get Russian 'Sunburn'

U.S. Navy uses Russian missiles

Russian, China team up on deadly new missile

Russian missile deal probed