WASHINGTON. Nov 10: Vice President Al Gore lambasted Texas Tycoon Ross Perot as a fear monger yesterday in a testy face to face TV debate aimed at rescuing the North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA from possible death in Con gross, reports Reuter

Perot, in turn, called Gore a liar and warned members of congress that millions of his foot soldiers would punish them in the polls next year should they vote for NAFTA next week

That's a direct political threat," said Gore, who spun a spirited argument for NAFTA to keep Perot dancing on the de fence "We re not scared. We re not a nation of quitters."

The politics of negativism and fear only go so far "

Sitting snugly shoulder to shoulder, the two southerners could have not have been further apart In style and substance as they sparred angrily over the complex trade treaty

From the Gore corner: NAFTA is a jobs winner, a boon to the environment and the best way to lock in reform In Mexico

As for Perot: NAFTA is a deal

struck by special interests that will aid big money investors and hurt ordinary Americans, rewarding authoritarianism south of the border

The unprecedented debate — which was moderated by a talk show host no less — came a scant eight days ahead of a ra zor-tlght congressional vote on plans to link the United States. Mexico and Canada Into one big free-trade zone.

President Clinton remains about two dozen votes short of the 218 house members he needs to win the NAFTA fight, which Is shaping up as a test not only of Clinton's political clout but also as a barometer of the new post-cold war America.

This is the kind of choice that comes along only once every 40 or 50 years. This is a major choice for our country of historic proportions." Gore said on Cable News Network s "Larry King Live" show, forum for the debate

"When we face a choice as important as this one, it's extremely important that we take the right direction This is a fork In the road. The whole

world is watching."

Often dismissed as a wan speaker, a combative Gore lobbed non-stop Interruptions at Perot, a former independent presidential candidate who now presides over a diffuse yet powerful anti-NAFTA coalition.

Thal coalition — lyhich groups labour unions with con servative isolationists and consumer activists — has raised a bright red flag about the fallout from NAFTA, warning Americans to watch their jobs head south to law-wage Mexico

"You will hear the giant sucking sound." Perot said, using a line he first used In last year s presidential campaign

Perot has said that 5.9 bll lion US jobs would be at risk under the free-trade pact, while Gore said some 200,000 new jobs would be crated thanks to NAFTA

Indeed Gore said Perot was pandering to a national economic ill ease with his anti-NAFTA crusade and said the billionaire businessman would benefit personally whether the house approves or sinks the pact on November 17

“Let’s go to the big picture and skip the personal stuff," snapped Perot. This 1s not an athletic contest. This Is not a question of who wins... this is question of do the people of the United States and do the people of Mexico win."

That said, a cranky Perot — whose fierce anti Washington message helped him pul 19 per cent of the vote in last year's presidential race — accused the administration of peddling lies and resorting to propaganda to ram NAFTA through

Speaking to reporters after the debate. Perot dismissed questions of who won. saying his was an altruistic cause

“I don't care If I looked pretty or ugly," Perot said "I don't want good, decent, hard work Ing people to have their jobs ripped out from under them "

"Gore did an outstanding job He overwhelmed Perot." gushed White House spokeswoman Dee Dee Myers

She said Clinton watched the debate In the White House with friends and called Gore immediately to congratulate him.