In this story: Fears of spreading conflict Muslims rally at White House RELATED STORIES, SITES

April 11, 1999
Web posted at: 1:04 a.m. EDT (0504 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- When the Republican-controlled Congress returns to work on Monday, a vigorous debate over President Clinton's policy in Yugoslavia and possible use of U.S. ground troops for combat is expected to top the agenda.

"It ought to be debated and voted on," said Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), who consistently has urged Clinton to leave open the possibility of ground troops.

McCain and several other lawmakers from both parties wrote Clinton on Friday that it would be "prudent for the U.S. to urge NATO to plan for additional military missions, including the use of ground forces."

The lawmakers, who traveled recently to Europe with Defense Secretary William Cohen, said the American public "needs to be better prepared for the likelihood of Alliance casualties."

"America, wake up," said Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Indiana). "Europe is at war, and we are in it."

White House officials have consistently said that there are no plans to use ground troops in Yugoslavia, except as peacekeepers after a cease-fire is reached.

And the president continues to voice optimism that the bombing campaign alone will achieve NATO's goals.

"It may not be time to introduce ground troops, but to rule out the option is, of course, really a half-measure in itself," McCain said.

But some lawmakers fear NATO infantry and armor would only throw fuel on the fires that have consumed the Balkans since Yugoslavia began breaking up in 1991.

"Putting ground troops on top of these other situations that have occurred would be a mistake," said Sen. Judo Gregg (R- New Hampshire).

Rep. Heather Wilson (R-New Mexico) used Saturday's Republican radio address to ask that Clinton give Congress "a complete picture of the situation in the Balkans."

"Thus far our strategy has failed to achieve our political objectives," said Wilson, an Air Force Academy graduate.

"It is unlikely that air power can stop a door-to-door campaign of repression," she added.

Muslims rally at White House

Meanwhile, several hundred Muslims rallied across from the White House on Saturday to show support for Kosovo Albanians. Most of the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo are Muslim.

The rally organizers said they are lobbying the White House to introduce ground troops in Kosovo and provide arms to the Kosovo Liberation Army guerrillas, who have been fighting for independence of the province.

Correspondents Jeanne Meserve and Wolf Blitzer contributed to this report.

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