PRESIDENT IS CHAMELEON ON MINES, TESTS

President Clinton continues to his chameleon skills at policymaking, this time affirming a total ban on nuclear testing while looking for U.S.-only exceptions to a ban on anti-personnel land mines.

Only a matter of days ago, the president was grabbing international attention during the world's grieving over the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. In front of the television cameras, Clinton convincing acknowledged Diana's efforts on behalf of those who would agree to ban the mines. He paid tribute to her ability to crystallize world opinion about the horrible consequences of land mines placed by military operatives but which maim thousands of innocent civilians. In fact, most injuries from land mines are suffered by civilians.

But, the president says, he will not sign an accord that has been worked out by more than 100 nations to ban the mines. He says there should be exceptions for military reasons in Korea, for example.

Which is it? Is he against land mines or not?

Meanwhile, Clinton went before the United Nations General Assembly and passionately called for a complete ban on all nuclear testing -- with no exceptions. The United States hasn't conducted any nuclear tests for five years.

The president's argument for the test ban: "We're all vulnerable to the reckless acts of rogue states and to an unholy axis of terrorists, drug traffickers and international criminals." These sound like the sort of misfits who wouldn't blink at dropping a few land mines along the way.

In reality, the president has no clear position on land mines or nuclear test bans. While he has an uncanny ability to grab a moment in the TV limelight, it is difficult to say from one moment to the next what Clinton really believes. As a result, test bans and land mines are only two of a whole basketful of critical issues that are left to wallow in the mire of unclear leadership.

By the way, during his U.N. speech, Clinton also announced the United States will pay more than $1 billion in past-due U.N. dues and other claims from the organization. Congress, which has raised serious and legitimate questions about the United Nations, still has to vote on it, of course. Just a minor detail, apparently.