Source:
NewsMax.com
http://www.newsmax.com/

Prez Spends $65 Million on Vietnam Trip, Marines Go Without
http://www.newsmax.com/showinside.shtml?a=2000/11/21/212828

Tuesday November 21, 2000; 10:28 PM ET

No president in the history of the union has logged more travel miles and
spent more money doing it than Bill Clinton. And Clinton's trip to Vietnam
last week, with its $65 million price tag, was no exception.

Now a retired military source tells NewsMax.com that the president's
Vietnam junket cost more than just taxpayer dollars. In fact, he says,
Clinton's Hanoi holiday may have actually tied up so many military aircraft
that it effected defense readiness in Korea.

The ex-Marine shared a recent e-mail from an active duty soldier in the
Korean theater:

"The figures below are shocking in their sheer numbers and cost
alone. However, when juxtaposed against the impact on operational
readiness for our Division (we're not the only force affected) I think
you'll understand my deep-seated concerns."

The active duty Marine enumerated some of the military resources
commandeered to ferry Clinton around Vietnam.
They include: Twenty-six C-5 transport aircraft, thirty-three C-17
aircraft, four C-141s, ten KC-10s and one C-130.

"We are in the midst of exercising one of our regularly scheduled
incremental training exercises with (Republic of Korea) Marines in Pohang,"
said the soldier.
"Unfortunately the non-availability of lift in the theater has severely
retarded the deployment of (even) a single reinforced infantry battalion."

"I only wish the American public could have visibility on these matters,"
the Marine in Korea concluded.

They do now.

spiker