G-8 "DOT Force" to Confront Divide

O K I N A W A   C I T Y, Japan, July 23 -- President Clinton took a final bow as he departed the stage at the G-8 summit today, rushing back to the United States to rejoin the work of another summit on peace in the Middle East.

He held up his hand, fingers crossed, just before he boardedAir Force One. His flight took off at 11:25 p.m. EDT (Saturday) forAndrews Air Force Base outside Washington.

Braving a heavy shower on this subtropical island, Clintonand his daughter Chelsea shook hands with American servicemenand other well-wishers before boarding the plane at the U.S.Kadena Air Force Base on Okinawa.

He was expected to touch down at 3:50 p.m. EDT this afternoon and board a helicopter immediately for Camp David, site of thetalks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and PalestinianPresident Yasser Arafat.

War Vs. Poverty

Before departing, Clinton and his summit partners issued a final communique which emphasizes new efforts to bring digital technology to the Third World, and a food-for-education program to encourage 9 million hungry children in poor countries to go to school for one meal a day.

This was the president’s final economic summit with the leaders of the industrialized world and he seemed genuinely nostalgic.

As the eight world leaders posed for a class picture, Clinton told them to “be serious.” When they teased he’d be back, Clinton answered, “not under our constitution.” At the final dinner, one colleague held high a glass, toasting Clinton’s years as president.

“To a great president of the United States and great leader of the free world,” said Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

It was a rare, poignant moment to finish off a day filled with talk of all things digital and a fair amount of controversy.

Since arriving Friday, Clinton has spent much of his time rushing through the paces of his last G-8 Summit promoting his pet theme of bridging the digital divide while trying to placate Okinawan citizens angry over the U.S. military presence here.