[House Document 104-220]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

104th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - House Document 104-220


 
    STATUS REPORT ON ACTIVITIES IN BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

  NOTIFICATION THAT ON MAY 19, 1996, HEAVY FIGHTING BROKE OUT BETWEEN 
 GOVERNMENT FORCES AND MUTINOUS TROOPS IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF BANGUI, 
 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND THAT ON MAY 20, 1996, THE DEPLOYMENT OF 
U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL WAS ORDERED TO CONDUCT THE EVACUATION FROM THE 
  CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC OF PRIVATE U.S. CITIZENS AND CERTAIN U.S. 
                          GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES




May 23, 1996.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations and 
                         ordered to be printed


                                           The White House,
                                          Washington, May 23, 1996.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On May 19, 1996, heavy fighting broke out 
between government forces and mutinous troops in the capital 
city of Bangui, Central African Republic. Early reports 
suggested that some 200-500 renegade soldiers were firing 
weapons, including rockets and artillery, and that they had 
called for troops from outside the capital to join them in the 
mutiny. During the fighting, prison guards reportedly abandoned 
their posts and prisoners were observed loitering around the 
prison. Although neither the American Embassy nor American 
citizens have been directly targeted, heavy fighting has been 
reported around the American Embassy, which has sustained some 
damage from stray rounds. At one point, government forces 
indicated an intention to assault a rebel stronghold very near 
the Embassy, but were dissuaded by the Ambassador.
    On May 20, due to the rapidly deteriorating security 
situation and the resultant threat to American citizens and the 
Embassy, I ordered the deployment of U.S. military personnel to 
provide enhanced security for the American Embassy in Bangui 
and to conduct the evacuation from the Central African Republic 
of private U.S. citizens and certain U.S. Government employees. 
Approximately 32 U.S. Marines entered the capital city in the 
early morning hours on May 21 and immediately took up positions 
in and around the American Embassy compound. They also deployed 
to the international airport in order to assist in processing 
evacuees and act as liaison with French military forces already 
positioned there. Evacuation operations began later that day, 
involving a U.S. KC-130 cargo aircraft operating into Yaounde, 
Cameroon. Further evacuation flights are planned. Additional 
U.S. forces may also be deployed in order to provide a means of 
safe passage for evacuees to the airport and to provide 
additional security at the American Embassy if required.
    The marines involved in this operation are from the Marine 
Expeditionary Unit currently operating off Liberia. Although 
U.S. forces are equipped and prepared to defend American lives 
and property, I do not anticipate that they will become 
involved in hostilities. U.S. forces will redeploy as soon as 
evacuation operations are complete and enhanced security at the 
American Embassy is no longer required.
    I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional 
authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States 
and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.
    I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep 
the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution. I appreciate the support of the Congress in this 
action to protect American citizens and the American Embassy in 
Bangui.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                
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