[House Document 111-79]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 111-79
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
__________
COMMUNICATION
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
A SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS
RESOLUTION, TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED ON
U.S. MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR ON TERROR AND KOSOVO,
PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148
December 19, 2009.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and
ordered to be printed
The White House,
Washington, December 16, 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 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's leadership of Afghanistan. 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 68,000, of which over
34,000 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 on
December 20, 2001, and has reaffirmed its authorization since
that time, most recently for a 12-month period from October 13,
2009, in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1890 on October 8,
2009. The mission of ISAF, under NATO command and in
partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan, is to conduct population-centric counterinsurgency
operations, enable expanded and effective Afghan National
Security Forces, and support improved governance and
development in order to protect the Afghan people and provide a
secure environment for sustainable security. Presently, 43
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 operation, continue to conduct secure detention operations
for the approximately 230 detainees at Guantanamo Bay under
Public Law 107-40 and consistent with principles of 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 on October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its
authorization in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 on June
8, 2004, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1637 on November 8,
2005, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 on November 28,
2006, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 on 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 on January
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 United States
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 116,000 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 on 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 the then Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), while maintaining a safe and secure
environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities and, with
local authorities and international institutions, contributes
to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment.
Currently, 24 NATO Allies contribute to KFOR. Eight non-
NATO countries also participate by providing military and other
support personnel. The United States contribution to KFOR is
about 1,475 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 11
percent of the total strength of approximately 12,500
personnel. The United States 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. KFOR operates
under NATO command and control and rules of engagement, and
coordinates with and supports the European Union (EU)-led
International Civilian Office and the EU Rule of Law Mission,
within its means and capabilities. 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 has primary responsibility for public
safety and policing throughout Kosovo. KFOR also offers as-
needed security assistance in response to civil unrest. 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). Separately, the Government of
Kosovo 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. KFOR provides technical and policy
guidance to the KSF and assists with recruiting for new
members, chairing selection boards that identify former KPC
members suitable for service in 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.