[House Document 111-122]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 111-122
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
THEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
transmitting
A SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS
RESOLUTION, TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT DEPLOYMENTS OF U.S. ARMED
FORCES EQUIPPED FOR COMBAT, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148
June 16, 2010.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and
ordered to be printed
The White House,
Washington, June 15, 2010.
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
deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat.
military operations in support of u.s. counterterrorism objectives
Since October 7, 2001, the United States has conducted
combat operations in Afghanistan against al-Qa'ida terrorists
and their Taliban supporters. It has also deployed combat-
equipped forces to a number of locations in the U.S. Central,
Pacific, European, Southern, and Africa Command areas of
operation in support of those and other overseas operations.
Operations and deployments remain ongoing. Previous such
operations were reported consistent with Public Law 107-40 and
the War Powers Resolution. These operations, which the United
States has carried out with the assistance of numerous
international partners, have been successful in seriously
degrading al-Qa'ida's capabilities and brought an end to the
Taliban's leadership of Afghanistan. United States Armed 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 87,000, of which more
than 62,000 are assigned to the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The U.N. Security
Council most recently reaffirmed its authorization of ISAF for
a 12-month period from October 13, 2009, in U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1890 (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, support improved
governance and development in order to protect the Afghan
people, and promote sustainable security. Presently, 46 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, continue to conduct secure
detention operations for the approximately 180 detainees at
Guantanamo Bay under Public Law 107-40 and consistent with
principles of the law of war.
In furtherance of U.S. efforts against terrorists who pose
a continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its
friends, its allies, and U.S. forces abroad, the United States
continues to work with partners around the globe, with a
particular focus on the U.S. Central Command's area of
operations. In this context, the United States has deployed
U.S. combat-equipped forces to assist in enhancing the
counterterrorism capabilities of our friends and allies,
including special operations and other forces for sensitive
operations in various locations around the world. In addition,
the U.S. forces headquarters element in Djibouti provides
command and control support as necessary to U.S. forces in the
Horn of Africa region. The United States is committed to
thwarting the efforts of al-Qa'ida and its affiliates to carry
out future acts of international terrorism and we have
continued to work with our counterterrorism partners to disrupt
and degrade the capabilities of al-Qa'ida and its affiliates.
As necessary, in response to the terrorist threat, I will
direct additional measures in the exercise of the right of the
United States to self-defense and to protect U.S. citizens and
interests. 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.
military operations in iraq
Since the expiration of the authorization and mandate for
the Multinational Force in Iraq 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 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
95,000 U.S. military personnel in Iraq.
maritime interception operations
As noted in previous reports, the United States continues
to conduct maritime interception operations on the high seas in
the areas of responsibility of each of the geographic combatant
commands. These maritime operations are aimed at stopping the
movement, arming, and financing of certain international
terrorist groups.
u.s./nato operations in kosovo
The U.N. Security Council authorized Member States to
establish a NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) 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. Seven non-
NATO countries also participate by providing military and other
support personnel. The United States contribution to KFOR is
about 1,074 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 11
percent of the total strength of approximately 9,300 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.
The principal military task of U.S. KFOR forces is to help
maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in
all of these operations pursuant to my constitutional and
statutory authority as Commander in Chief (including the
authority to carry out Public Law 107-40 and other statutes)
and as Chief Executive, as well as my statutory and
constitutional authority to conduct the foreign relations of
the United States. 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.