[House Document 105-307]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



105th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-307


 
        SECURITY ENHANCEMENT AT THE EMBASSY IN TIRANA, ALBANIA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

 NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS THAT THE SECURITY OF THE ALBANIA EMBASSY IN 
                        TIRANA HAS BEEN ENHANCED





    September 11, 1998.--Referred to the Committee on International 
                  Relations and ordered to be printed


                                           The White House,
                                       Washington, August 18, 1998.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: After receiving credible information of a 
possible attack against the U.S. embassy in Tirana, Albania, 
similar to the attacks against our missions in Nairobi and Dar 
es Salaam, the Department of State authorized the draw-down of 
embassy personnel. Embassy business is currently conducted from 
the Rilindja Ridge Housing Complex in Tirana, as a new embassy 
building with improved security features is currently 
undergoing construction. The Marine Security Guard detachment 
at the embassy consists of six Marines.
    Consequently, to enhance security at the present site of 
embassy operations, on Sunday, August 16, 1998, at about 12:00 
p.m. eastern daylight time, a combat-equipped unit consisting 
of about 200 Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit 
and 10 Navy SEALS was deployed to Albania to provide security 
to the embassy compound at the Rilindja Ridge site. These 
personnel were deployed from ships that were already in the 
Adriatic Sea region preparing for an amphibious NATO military 
exercise, which was scheduled for August 17-22, 1998. As of 
August 17, 1998, all personnel from this unit except for 50 
Marines have returned to their ships to participate in the 
previously scheduled NATO exercise. United States Armed Forces 
personnel will continue to augment security at the Rilindja 
Ridge compound until it is determined that the additional 
security support is unnecessary.
    I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional 
authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations 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 assist in embassy security and the security of 
American citizens overseas.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                
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