Clinton to Fight HIV Policy Opposes Military Discharges

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President Bill Clinton promised Friday to fight in Congress and the courts against a new requirement to discharge military personnel infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. But aides said the administration would enforce the provision.

The requirement, contained in a defense bill that Clinton was scheduled to sign today, is unconstitutional, offensive and cruel, the president said.

Clinton ordered the Justice Department not to defend the provision's constitutionality in the courts. White House officials predicted that if Congress does not repeal it, the Supreme Court will throw it out.

Nonetheless, the administration made clear that if the …