[House Document 111-61]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 111-61
SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS
RESOLUTION, TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT THE GLOBAL DEPLOYMENT
__________
MESSAGE
from
THEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
transmitting
SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS
RESOLUTION, TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT THE GLOBAL DEPLOYMENTS OF
U.S. ARMED FORCES EQUIPPED FOR COMBAT, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148
September 8, 2009.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed
The White House
Washington, June 15, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: I am providing this supplemental
consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and
consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148),
as part of my of efforts to keep the Congress informed about
global deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat.
This supplemental report covers ongoing U.S. contingency
operations overseas.
Since October 7, 2001, the United States has conducted
combat operations in Afghanistan against al-Qa'ida terrorists
and their Taliban supporters, and has deployed various combat-
equipped forces to a number of locations in the Central,
Pacific, European, Southern, and Africa Command areas of
operation in support of those and other overseas operations.
These operations and deployments remain ongoing and were
previously reported consistent with Public Law 107-40 and the
War Powers Resolution.
In response to the terrorist threat, I will direct
additional measures, as necessary, in the exercise of the right
of the United States to self-defense and to protect U.S.
citizens and interests. Such measures may include short-notice
deployments of special operations and other forces for
sensitive operations in various locations throughout the world.
It is not possible to know at this time the precise scope or
the duration of the deployments of U.S. Armed Forces necessary
to counter the terrorist threat to the United States.
United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous
international partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign
to pursue al-Qa'ida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-
Qa'ida. These operations have been successful in seriously
degrading al-Qa'ida's capabilities. United States Armed Forces,
with the assistance of numerous international partners, brought
an end to the Taliban regime. Our forces are actively pursuing
and engaging remaining al-Qa'ida and Taliban fighters in
Afghanistan. The total number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is
approximately 58,000, of which approximately 20,000 are
assigned to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
in Afghanistan. The U.N. Security Council authorized ISAF in
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1386 of December 20, 2001, and
has reaffirmed its authorization since that time, most recently
for a 12-month period from October 13, 2008, in U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1833 of September 22, 2008. The mission of
ISAF, under NATO command, is to assist the Government of
Afghanistan in creating a safe and secure environment that
allows for continued reconstruction and the exercise and
extension of Afghan authority. Presently, 40 nations contribute
to ISAF, including all 28 NATO Allies.
The United States continues to detain several hundred al-
Qa'ida and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a
continuing threat to the United States and its interests. The
combat-equipped forces deployed since January 2002 to Naval
Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S. Southern Command area
of operations, continue to conduct secure detention operations
for those detained at Guantanamo Bay under Public Law 107-40
and consistent with the law of war.
The U.N. Security Council authorized a Multinational Force
(MNF) in Iraq, under unified command, in U.N. Security Council
Resolution 1511 of October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its
authorization in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 of June
8, 2004, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1637 of November 8,
2005, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 of November 28,
2006, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 of December 18,
2007; the authorization was not renewed in 2009. Since the
expiration of the authorization and mandate for the MNF in U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1790 on December 31, 2008, U.S.
forces have continued operations to support Iraq in its efforts
to maintain security and stability in Iraq pursuant to the
bilateral Agreement Between the United States of America and
the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United States Forces
from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their
Temporary Presence in Iraq, which entered into force onJanuary
1, 2009. These contributions have included, but have not been limited
to, assisting in building the capability of the Iraqi security forces,
supporting the development of Iraq's political institutions, improving
local governance, enhancing ministerial capacity, and providing
critical humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the Iraqis. The
U.S. contribution of forces to the Iraq mission fluctuates over time,
depending on the conditions in theater as determined by the commanders
on the ground; the present U.S. contribution is approximately 138,000
U.S. military personnel.
In furtherance of U.S. efforts against terrorists who pose
a continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its
friends, its allies, and our forces abroad, the United States
continues to work with partners around the globe. These efforts
include the deployment of U.S. combat-equipped forces to assist
in enhancing the counterterrorism capabilities of our friends
and allies. United States combat-equipped forces continue to be
located in the Horn of Africa region.
In addition, the United States continues to conduct
maritime interception operations on the high seas in the areas
of responsibility of all of the geographic combatant commands.
These maritime operations are aimed at stopping the movement,
arming, and financing of international terrorists.
As noted in previous reports regarding U.S. contributions
in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, the U.N. Security
Council authorized Member States to establish a NATO-led Kosovo
Force (KFOR) in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 of June
10, 1999. The original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify,
and, when necessary, enforce compliance with the Military
Technical Agreement between NATO and Serbia (formerly the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), while maintaining a safe and
secure environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities and,
with local authorities and international police, contributes to
the maintenance of a safe and secure environment that
facilitates the work of the European Union (EU)-led
International Civilian Office and the EU Rule of Law Mission
(EULEX).
Currently, 25 NATO nations contribute to KFOR. Eight non-
NATO countries also participate by providing military and other
support personnel. The U.S. contribution to KFOR is about 1,400
U.S. military personnel, or approximately 10 percent of the
total strength of approximately 13,700 personnel.
The U.S. forces participating in KFOR have been assigned to
the eastern region of Kosovo but also have operated in other
areas of the country based on mission requirements. For U.S.
KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, helping to maintain a safe
and secure environment and freedom of movement remain the
principal military tasks. The KFOR operates under NATO command
and control and rules of engagement, and coordinates with and
supports EULEX, within its means and capabilities. The KFOR
provides a security presence in towns, villages, and the
countryside, and organizes checkpoints and patrols in key areas
to provide security, to protect all segments of Kosovo's
population, and to help instill a feeling of confidence across
all ethnic communities throughout Kosovo.
NATO periodically conducts formal reviews of KFOR's
mission. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current
force levels, future requirements, and recommendations for
adjustments to KFOR's force structure and eventual withdrawal.
NATO adopted the Joint Operations Area plan to regionalize and
rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
The Kosovo Police (KP) has primary responsibility for
public safety and policing throughout Kosovo. The EULEX
monitors, mentors, and advises the KP and possesses limited
executive authority. The KP provides the first line of riot
response, to be followed by EULEX's specialized anti-riot
police (Formed Police Units or FPUs). The KFOR also offers as-
needed security assistance in response to civil unrest. The
KFOR augments security in particularly sensitive areas or in
response to particular threats as events on the ground dictate.
In January 2009, the Government of Kosovo established the
Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and began the process of dissolving
the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC). The KSF is a lightly armed,
civilian-led security force that provides crisis response,
explosive ordnance disposal, and civil protection. The newly
formed Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force provides civilian
oversight and control for the KSF. The KFOR provides technical
and policy guidance to the KSF and assists with recruiting for
new members, chairing selection boards that identify former KPC
members to join the KSF, supervising NATO-standard training
programs for new recruits, and coordinating KSF equipment
purchases and donations.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in
all of these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority
to conduct the foreign relations of the United States and as
Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. Officials of my
Administration and I communicate regularly with the leadership
and other Members of Congress with regard to these deployments,
and we will continue to do so.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama.