Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 21, 1991                   TAG: 9103210206
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

SENATE APPROVES JORDAN AID CUT/ COUNTRY'S SUPPORT FOR IRAQ PENALIZED

The action pitted Democrats determined to make other nations accountable for the U.S. ordeal in the Persian Gulf against a president insistent on retaining full latitude in handling foreign policy.

Ignoring President Bush's protests that the action could hamstring Middle East peace efforts, the Senate voted to officially halt $57.2 million in economic and military aid to Jordan. All such aid had already been suspended by the administration.

The measure, which has not been approved by the House, was attached to a multibillion-dollar spending bill to finance war-related costs. The bill was eventually approved 92-8.

Despite strong lobbying by the White House and Secretary of State James Baker, the aid ban passed on a voice vote.

"This action takes away presidential flexibility with regard to funding for Jordan at a time when we are threading our way through a very complicated peace process in the Middle East," White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said.

"We think it's a kind of micromanagement of foreign policy that denies the president the flexibility he needs to adequately conduct policy, and we are opposed to all aspects of this," he said.