EDITORIAL : DRAWING THE LINE; U.S. ATTACKS ON TWO TERRORIST TARGETS SEND CLEAR SIGNAL TO INTERNATIONAL THUGS.

DECLARING that the United States had compelling evidence that linked a terrorist group to the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, President Clinton announced cruise-missile attacks in two countries.

The retaliatory strikes against suspected terrorist sites in Sudan and Afghanistan were swift, decisive and a measured response to the unprovoked attacks on innocent civilians in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam on Aug. 7.

Those twin attacks killed 257 people and injured more than 5,500.

Against such monstrosity, there can be no compromise.

Clinton and defense officials said the facilities attacked by the United States had ties to Osama bin Laden, a Saudi millionaire who has been sponsoring acts of terrorism around the world.

Bin Laden's stated goal is to get the United States to withdraw from the Middle East and halt its support of Israel. He readily admits to taking part in terrorism and says he doesn't distinguish between civilian and military targets.

U.S. officials suspect he was behind the November 1997 attack on a group of tourists at the Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt. At least 70 people, including 60 foreign tourists, were killed.

Regrettably, many are drawing parallels to this week's extraordinary events and the movie ``Wag the Dog,'' in which the president's handlers fabricate a war in Albania to divert attention from a sexual scandal involving the president.

Although unfortunate, it's a natural reaction from a cynical public. Lying has consequences - even in an era when life too often imitates art.

Whether the missile attacks have an element of self-serving politics, Americans will have to judge for themselves. It was only three days between the time the president appeared before the public to admit to a ``sexual relationship'' with Lewinsky and when he announced the attacks.

But the action had to be taken.

Clinton said he acted to ``counter an immediate threat'' of more terrorist acts.

As a nation, we stand behind the president. We believe that he, the National Security Council, Defense Secretary William Cohen and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright acted in our best interests.

In Albright's words, Thursday's airstrikes were part of a ``long-term battle against terrorism, and terrorists who have declared war on the U.S.''

America must draw the line against terrorism.