Dropping the Ball?

(7 of 8)

Says a U.S. ambassador: "As long as people know the U.S. is engaged and reliable, they are unlikely to do foolish things. It's reassuring and restraining. And this serves our national interests because stability and peace make our economy and trade prosper." Conversely, a senior Administration official admits the American backdown in Somalia probably emboldened the Haitian military to defy the U.S., and it would be surprising if Kim Il-Sung were not watching Bosnia for clues as to how far he can go. Moreover, another Administration official warns, for all the American public's | current indifference, "foreign policy could unhinge this presidency." Clinton may not score many points with a foreign policy promoting international peace and prosperity; voters will greet it with a yawn. But they may not readily forgive a fumbling response to a crisis that poses a serious threat to American interests, and Clinton has given little indication that he knows how to handle one.

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT:From a telephone poll of 600 Adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on April 21 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is plus or minus 4%. Not Sures omitted.

CAPTION:Is President Clinton doing a good job handling:

Foreign policy?

The situation in Bosnia?

The situation in Haiti?

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT:From a telephone poll of 600 Adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on April 21 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is plus or minus 4%. Not Sures omitted.

CAPTION:Which foreign policy should the U.S. follow?

-- Use its leadership to help settle international disputes and promote democracy

-- Reduce its involvement in world politics in order to concentrate on problems at home

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT:From a telephone poll of 600 Adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on April 21 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is plus or minus 4%. Not Sures omitted.

CAPTION:Has President Clinton been a strong or weak leader when making foreign policy decisions?

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT:From a telephone poll of 600 Adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on April 21 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is plus or minus 4%. Not Sures omitted.

CAPTION:Should the U.S. do more to stop the war in Bosnia, or has it done enough already?

Do you favor using military planes to protect Gorazde and other Muslim towns, as we have in Sarjevo?

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT:From a telephone poll of 600 Adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on April 21 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is plus or minus 4%. Not Sures omitted.

CAPTION:Should the U.S. sell arms to the Bosnia Muslims or remain neutral?

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT:From a telephone poll of 600 Adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on April 21 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is plus or minus 4%. Not Sures omitted.

CAPTION: Does the U.S. have a great deal at stake in:

-- Russia

-- North Korea

-- Bosnia

-- South Africa

-- Haiti

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE