Policy Appears to Quell Revolt in Congress

President Clinton’s latest policy statement on Somalia appears, for the time being, to have quelled a brewing revolt in Congress.

In his speech to the nation and in a two-hour presentation to congressional leaders at the White House on Thursday, Clinton for the first time offered answers to the questions of why U.S. troops remain in the chaotic nation and when they will return.

The answers seemed to satisfy most members of Congress. But several continued to express reservations about the duration of the deployment and the dangerous missions that remain.

Clinton’s new approach to Somalia drew praise from a number of key Democrats and Republicans, who said they believe that the President finally is coming to grips with the crisis and is formulating a policy that Congress can support.

“I think the President made it much more likely today that the Congress will give him more leeway, give him more time” to deal with Somalia, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) said.

The goals that Clinton outlined--which closely track the policy recommendations that Nunn himself proposed in a Senate speech the night before--avoid an escalation of the conflict while providing for an “orderly withdrawal, not a hasty retreat,” Nunn said.

“The President deserves our support” now that he “has outlined a plan” to withdraw U.S. forces from Somalia in an orderly fashion, Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) added.

The bipartisan praise--following so swiftly on the heels of the intense criticism his handling of the Somalia crisis has received in Congress over the last several days--reflected not only a sense of relief that Clinton is “finally engaged” in formulating a plan to withdraw American troops from Mogadishu but also a “strong feeling that we have to stem the hysteria and unite behind the President in a situation in which American lives are on the line,” a senior Senate Republican aide said.

“The cutting and running philosophy that’s running wild through Congress ignores our primary responsibility to protect the forces we have there now,” agreed Sen. J. James Exon (D-Neb.).

But while most lawmakers expressed relief that “we are now back on track,” in the words of House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ronald V. Dellums (D-Oakland), many clearly remain dissatisfied with his decision to postpone the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Somalia until March 31.

“It is important to expedite a phased withdrawal which minimizes the vulnerability of American personnel,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) said. But he added: “I am concerned over the announced insertion of such a large number of additional American forces.”

Times staff writers Karen Tumulty and William J. Eaton contributed to this report.