Perot Will I Fight This If I Have To Yes.

If Saint Peter showed up with it on a gold scroll, somebody would try to debunk it.

Right now, everything is driven by this desire to normalize relations with Vietnam, and everybody wants to stop talking about the fact that there might be [POWs] alive. . . . The easy thing is to let the oil guys go drill. … You’ll have a Who’s Who of these people who can get access to the president or near the president, pounding on him to get it done. There may be others besides the oil companies, but those are the ones that always pop up on the screen. They can rattle the door; they’re a big gorilla.

There is little downside risk [in doing nothing]. There is tremendous upside potential, I think, particularly for President Clinton. I’m not saying he would do it for that reason. I think and I hope he would do it for the right reason. It would show the American people a lot of courage and a lot of commitment to the men and women who wear the uniform, and that would be a tremendous plus, I think, in terms of support in an area where his support is weak.

You need to send a world-class negotiator over [to Hanoi] ‘Lo treat them with dignity and respect and hold nonstop negotiations until you get it done. Then, if we got the people out, I would be a strong proponent, and say, “All right, let’s normalize…. Continuing to punish this country that released the guys is wrong. The problem is solved now; let’s go forward with life.”

Well, all I can do is to discuss this publicly across the country, and if Americans care enough they will reflect that to their congressmen or senators and the White House.. . . I should not have to make this a sensitive issue. Could I [block a lifting of the embargo]? Probably. Will I if I have to? Yes. Let’s put that in big print: Yes. Because you don’t leave a single person behind.

What breaks my heart is, from privates to generals and admirals, my phone rings off the wall all day, every day. Not only on this issue but on the issue of sagging morale in the military. The fact that the military is being treated like trash by the White House, or is perceived to be by them. And I’m just basically saying, “Look, guys, hang tough, you’re overreacting. There must never ever be a breakdown in discipline.