[House Document 109-30]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 109-30
A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
__________
COMMUNICATION
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
A SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS
RESOLUTION, TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT THE DEPLOYMENTS OF U.S.
COMBAT-EQUIPPED ARMED FORCES IN SUPPORT OF THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM,
KOSOVO, AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148
May 23, 2005.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations and
ordered to be printed
The White House,
Washington, May 20, 2005.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. 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. combat-equipped armed forces around the
world. This supplemental report covers operations in support of
the global war on terrorism, Kosovo, and Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM
Since September 24, 2001, I have reported, consistent with
Public Law 107-40 and the War Powers Resolution, on the combat
operations in Afghanistan against al-Qaida terrorists and their
Taliban supporters, which began on October 7, 2001, and the
deployment of various combat-equipped and combat-support forces
to a number of locations in the Central, Pacific, and Southern
Command areas of operation in support of those operations and
of other operations in our global war on terrorism.
I will direct additional measures as necessary in the
exercise of the U.S. right 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 either the precise
scope or duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces
necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the United States.
United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous
coalition partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign to
pursue al-Qaida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-
Qaida.
These operations have been successful in seriously
degrading al-Qaida's training capabilities. United States Armed
Forces, with the assistance of numerous coalition partners,
ended the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and are actively
pursuing and engaging remnant al-Qaida and Taliban fighters.
Approximately 90 U.S. personnel are also assigned to the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
The U.N. Security Council authorized the 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, 2004, in U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1563 of September 13, 2004. The mission of
the ISAF under NATO command is to assist the Government of
Afghanistan in creating a safe and secure environment that
allows reconstruction and the reestablishment of Afghan
authorities. Currently, all 26 NATO nations contribute to the
ISAF. Ten non-NATO contributing countries also participate by
providing military and other support personnel to the ISAF.
The United States continues to detain several hundred al-
Qaida and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a
continuing threat to the United States and its interests. The
combat-equipped and combat-support forces deployed to Naval
Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S. Southern Command area
of operations since January 2002 continue to conduct secure
detention operations for the approximately 520 enemy combatants
at Guantanamo Bay.
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, noting the Iraqi Interim Government's request to
retain the presence of the MNF. Under U.N. Security Council
Resolution 1546, the mission of the MNF is to contribute to the
security and stability in Iraq, as reconstruction continues,
until the completion of Iraq's political transformation. These
contributions include assisting in building the capability of
the Iraqi security forces and institutions, as the Iraqi
people, represented by the Transitional National Assembly,
draft a constitution and establish a constitutionally elected
government. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is approximately
139,000 military personnel.
In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a
continuing and imminent threat to the United States, our
friends and allies, and our forces abroad, the United States
continues to work with friends and allies in areas around the
globe. United States combat-equipped and combat-support forces
are located in the Horn of Africa region, and the U.S. forces
headquarters element in Djibouti provides command and control
support as necessary for military operations against al-Qaida
and other international terrorists in the Horn of Africa
region, including Yemen. These forces also assist in enhancing
counterterrorism capabilities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen,
Eritrea, and Djibouti. 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
commanders. These maritime operations have the responsibility
to stop the movement, arming, or financing of international
terrorists.
NATO-LED KOSOVO FORCE (KFOR)
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 KFOR in U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1244 of June 10, 1999. The mission
of KFOR is to provide an international security presence in
order to deter renewed hostilities; verify and, if necessary,
enforce the terms of the Military Technical Agreement between
NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (which is now
Serbia and Montenegro); enforce the terms of the Undertaking on
Demilitarization and Transformation of the former Kosovo
Liberation Army; provide day-to-day operational direction to
the Kosovo Protection Corps; and maintain a safe and secure
environment to facilitate the work of the U.N. Interim
Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
Currently, there are 23 NATO nations contributing to KFOR.
Eleven non-NATO contributing countries also participate by
providing military personnel and other support personnel to
KFOR. The U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is about 1,700
U.S. military personnel, or approximately 10 percent of KFOR's
total strength of approximately 17,000 personnel. Additionally,
U.S. military personnel occasionally operate from Macedonia,
Albania, and Greece in support of KFOR operations.
The U.S. forces have been assigned to a sector principally
centered around Gnjilane in the eastern region of Kosovo. For
U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and
secure environment remains the primary military task. The KFOR
operates under NATO command and control and rules of
engagement. The KFOR coordinates with and supports UNMIK at
most levels; provides a security presence in towns, villages,
and the countryside; and organizes checkpoints and patrols in
key areas to provide security, protect minorities, resolve
disputes, and help instill in the community a feeling of
confidence.
In accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244,
UNMIK continues to transfer additional competencies to the
Kosovar Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, which
includes the President, Prime Minister, multiple ministries,
and the Kosovo Assembly. The UNMIK retains ultimate authority
in some sensitive areas such as police, justice, and ethnic
minority affairs.
NATO continues formally to review KFOR's mission at 6-month
intervals. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current
force levels, future requirements, force structure, force
reductions, and the eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO has
adopted the Joint Operations Area plan to regionalize and
rationalize its force structure in the Balkans. The UNMIK
international police and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) have
full responsibility for public safety and policing throughout
Kosovo except in the area of South Mitrovica, where KFOR and
UNMIK share this responsibility due to security concerns. The
UNMIK international police and KPS also have begun to assume
responsibility for guarding patrimonial sites and established
border-crossing checkpoints. The KFOR augments security in
particularly sensitive areas or in response to particular
threats as needed.
NATO HEADQUARTERS-SARAJEVO IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Pursuant to the June 2004 decision made by NATO Heads of
State and Government, and in accordance with U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1575 of November 22, 2004, NATO concluded
its Stabilization Force (SFOR) operations in Bosnia and
Herzegovina and established NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo to
continue to assist in implementing the Peace Agreement in
conjunction with a newly established European Force (EUFOR).
NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo, to which approximately 235 U.S.
personnel are assigned, is, with EUFOR, the legal successor to
SFOR. The principal tasks of NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo are
providing advice on defense reform and performing operational
supporting tasks, such as counterterrorism and supporting the
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in
all of these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority
to conduct U.S. foreign relations 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,
George W. Bush.