Second Debate Transcript: Page 6

Oct. 11 --

LEHRER: So what would you say, Governor, to somebody who wouldsay, “Hey, wait a minute. Why not Africa? I mean, why the MiddleEast? Why the Balkans, but not Africa when 600,000 people’s lives areat risk?”

BUSH: Well, I understand. And Africa’s important, and we’ve got to do a lot of work in Africa to promote democracy and trade. Andthere’s some — the vice president mentioned Nigeria. It’s a fledgling democracy. We’ve got to work with Nigeria. That’s animportant continent.

But there’s got to be priorities. And the Middle East is apriority for a lot of reasons, as is Europe and the Far East and ourown hemisphere. And those are my four top priorities should I be thepresident. It’s not to say we won’t be engaged nor trying — nor should we — you know, work hard to get other nations to come together to prevent atrocity.

I thought the best example of a way to handle the situation isEast Timor when we provided logistical support to the Australians,support that only we can provide. I thought that was a good model.

But we can’t be all things to all people in the world, Jim. AndI think that’s where maybe the vice president and I begin to have somedifferences. I am worried about over-committing our military aroundthe world. I want to be judicious in its use.

You mentioned Haiti. I wouldn’t have sent troops to Haiti. Ididn’t think it was a mission worthwhile. It was a nation-buildingmission. And it was not very successful. It cost us billions, acouple of billions of dollars, and I’m not so sure democracy is anybetter off in Haiti than it was before.

LEHRER: Vice President Gore, do you agree with the governor’sviews on nation-building, the use of military, our military to — fornation-building, as he described it and defined it?

GORE: I don’t think we agree on that. I would certainly also bejudicious in evaluating any potential use of American troops overseas.I think we have to be very reticent about that.