The Price of Clinton's Plan

By Janice Castro

COLIN POWELL, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, IS gently making it known that if President Clinton lifts the ban on gays and lesbians in the military, he just might resign. General Powell has strong moral and pragmatic objections to the idea, according to close friends. In comments that went unnoticed during a recent visit to the U.S. Naval Academy, Powell said that if "you find it completely unacceptable and it strikes to the heart of your moral beliefs, then I think you have to resign." He may not be alone. Meeting with Secretary of Defense Les Aspin last week, the other five members of the Joint Chiefs forcefully backed Powell's opposition to Clinton's idea.