Less Defense, More Foreign Aid
"Build A World With More Partners"

By: Jamie Herzlich And Christian Murray

Former President Bill Clinton, suggesting that the Bush administration is pouring too much money into defense, told Long Island business leaders Friday (2/15/02), that more federal dollars should be spent on foreign aid.

In his remarks Friday afternoon before the annual meeting of the Long Island Association business group at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, Clinton mainly focused on the U.S.'s war on terrorism in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Clinton asserted that he strongly supports increased spending on homeland defense and punishing terrorists.

He also said the U.S. should try to create more political allies throughout the world by spending more money on foreign aid and reaching out to Muslims. "I'm for defense and prevention, but for 20% of the proposed increases we could double our effort to build a world with more partners", said Clinton, noting that America spends less than one percent of its budget on foreign assistance.

Clinton spoke for about an hour and answered questions that had been submitted in advance by members of the audience for about 10 minutes.

The former President was received warmly by the audience of local business leaders, who gave him two standing ovations, one at the beginning and one at the end of his remarks.

At one point, Clinton joked that he had a Valentine's Day dinner with his wife Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), but much of the conversation revolved around her prepping him on Long Island issues.

"I got a crash course", Clinton laughed. "I could pass a test. She said 'you should know this stuff'."