Can Bosnia have lasting peace without the help of U.S. soldiers? President Clinton does not think so. He wants to send U.S. troops to the war-torn country to help a larger North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) force.
Last week Secretary of State Warren Christopher and other officials explained the President's plan to the Senate. "If we want the killing to stop," said Christopher, "we cannot fail to contribute troops to the mission."
The U.S. would add 20,000 troops to a NATO force of 60,000. The soldiers would be in Bosnia for up to a year.
Many members of Congress oppose the plan. They say it would cost $1.5 billion, and, more important, it could cost American lives. But the President, as Commander in Chief of the armed forces, has the power to send the troops without Senate approval.