CLINTON TAKES CREDIT FOR TASPAYERS' GENEROSITY

First, there's little doubt that 36 of the poorest nations in debt to the United States were never going to repay their obligations. These are destitute countries, nations so poor that people are dying from starvation and lack of medical care. In fact, some 40 million people a year die of hunger in these countries. So who wouldn't want to forgive their debts?

Apparently, nobody. These poor nations have received loans from other countries as well -- countries that long ago wrote off the loans as uncollectible.

Of the $5.7 billion owed by these poor countries to the United States, virtually all of it had already been written off, leaving some $970 million to be repaid. That's what President Clinton wants to forgive, but he's taking credit for removing the unbearable burden of the whole debt.

In order to forgive the debt owed by these struggling nations, President Clinton must ask Congress to appropriate the $970 billion. That request was in the budget submitted to Congress last month. It is likely Congress will approve the request. Like we said, who wouldn't want to forgive this debt?

Keep in mind that such transactions involving the nonpayment of international loans are, in a word, tax increases for American taxpayers. The money has to come from somewhere, so U.S. taxpayers get to foot the bill while President Clinton reaps the accolades for being such a benevolent world leader.

Let's give the credit to the American taxpayers. Most of them would want to forgive the $970 million in question. American taxpayers have hearts too. They don't like to hear about 40 million people a year starving to death in countries that are so poor they can't produce enough food.

So here's to the American taxpayers who, through their representatives in Congress, are about to do a good and noble thing. These taxpayers are the ones who deserve the 15 seconds of glory on the TV newscasts and in newspaper headlines. They deserve to have their pictures in the paper.

But it will be President Clinton's face we see, earnestly reminding us what a great president he is and how he feels the pain of 40 million people who die because they don't have enough to eat.