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 The BBC's Paul Reynolds"Whoever is president next year might face a restless Congress"  real 28k The BBC's Defence Correspondent, Jonathan Marcus(Lord Robertson's letter) is an indication of the gravity of the situation real 28k |
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved a similar, though weaker, proposal.
It called for a US withdrawal from Kosovo unless Washington could certify that other Nato countries were meeting their obligations in the province.
In response, the Secretary-General of Nato, George Robertson, warned that a unilateral deadline for withdrawing US troops would send a dangerous signal to the Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic.
Nato lobbying
Before Thursday's vote, Lord Robertson set out his fears in letters to key members of the Senate.
The BBC's defence correspondent, Jonathan Marcus, says he was worried that such a deadline could jeopardise the whole operation in Kosovo.
 The Nato chief fears the entire operation is at risk |
Analysts say that the proposals reflect concern about the open-ended commitment the US is making towards peacekeeping in a number of countries.
They also coincide with an emerging American belief that regional powers should take the lead in solving crises.
In an attempt to address these concerns, Lord Robertson pointed out that European countries provided 80% of the ground troops in Kosovo.
He said they also bore the largest burden in providing assistance for reconstruction.
US critics
Both withdrawal proposals were opposed by the Clinton administration and the Republican presidential candidate, George W Bush.
 Europe pays for most of the reconstruction |
The Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, has made a strongly worded speech opposing the restriction on US involvement in Kosovo.
She said that it would be seen as a weakness which would attract the vultures.
And Governor George W Bush has told Senate Republicans that the plan by Congress would threaten presidential rights over foreign policy.
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