Washington Outlook

OPERATION R&D RESCUE

President Clinton will soon launch an offensive to shield his favorite science and technology efforts from GOP budget slashers on Capitol Hill. So far, Clinton has been silent about planned cuts for projects ranging from the Commerce Dept.'s Advanced Technology Program to global warming research. But on Oct. 18, he's set to make a detailed defense of government R&D. The pitch: These are crucial investments, not "corporate welfare," as Republicans charge.