Reply #18: Clark's versions of events are different, of course. [View All]

[VolcanoJen]

It's been hashed and rehashed all over DU, but I think it's important to understand Clark's version as well as Jackson's.

In a PBS interview on the topic, Clark stated that he was surprised by Jackson's statement, and Gen. Guthrie's defense of Jackson's position, as Clark says the order to block the runways was suggested by and came down from Washington. When Clark phones Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Shelton for clarification, Shelton said, ""I did have a conversation with Guthrie. I knew you were getting this order. Guthrie and I agreed we don't want a confrontation but I do support you."

In the interview, Clark went on to tell Shelton that he had a policy problem.

You can read a transcription of the PBS article here, about a quarter of the way down the page:

http://www.theclarksphere.com/archives/000347.html#000347

(this will likely be attacked by anti-Clark folks as coming from a pro-Clark site, but I'm only interested in directing you and others to the PBS transcription on that site)

After reading this issue over and over, I've come to the conclusion that if anyone wanted to "start WWIII," it was the Pentagon, at the time, and not Clark. I realize others see it differently, but that's my take.