U.S. Senate Rejects Kosovo Pullout Measure

The U.S. Senate Thursday rejected a measure that would requires the next president to withdraw troops from Kosovo unless the extension was approved by Congress.

The measure which is added by Sens. John Warner, R-Va., and Robert Byrd, D-W.Va to a military construction spending bill, was stripped from the bill by a 53-47 vote. Vice President Al Gore made a rare appearance in the Senate to cast his vote in the event of a tie.

The provision would have terminated U.S. military participation in the peacekeeping mission next July 1 unless the president requested and Congress approved an extension.

The Senate vote came after the House approved a measure on Wednesday, that requires the president to withdraw U.S. troops from Kosovo unless the NATO allies fulfilled most of their commitment in the Yugoslav province.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said some in Congress are "playing with fire" by setting a deadline for the U.S. pullout. Defense Secretary William Cohen said he would recommend President Clinton to veto any measures that set deadline for the U.S. to withdraw from Kosovo.

Please visit People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/