[House Document 105-309]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



105th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-309


 
 THE MEDICAL AND SECURITY RESPONSE TO THE BOMBINGS IN NAIROBI, KENYA 
                      AND DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  FROM

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

   NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS THAT A JOINT TASK FORCE OF U.S. MILITARY 
 PERSONNEL FROM U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND DEPLOYED TO NAIROBI TO COORDINATE 
  THE MEDICAL AND DISASTER RESPONSE ASSISTANCE ARRIVING IN KENYA AND 
                               TANZANIA.





    September 1, 1998.--Referred to the Committee on International 
                  Relations and ordered to be printed


                                           The White House,
                                       Washington, August 10, 1998.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On August 7, 1998, two bombs exploded 
about five minutes apart at the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, 
Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A number of American 
citizens were killed or wounded, and the embassies suffered 
extensive damage. Department of State officials requested 
immediate medical, security, and disaster response assistance 
from the Department of Defense.
    On August 7, 1998, a Joint Task Force of U.S. military 
personnel from U.S. Central Command deployed to Nairobi to 
coordinate the medical and disaster response assistance 
arriving in Kenya and Tanzania. In addition, on August 8, 1998, 
teams of approximately 50-100 security personnel each arrived 
in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. These teams will enhance the 
ability of the United States to ensure the security of the 
American Embassies and American citizens in these countries.
    The U.S. forces comprising the Joint Task Force and the 
medical and security assistance come primarily from elements of 
the U.S. Central and U.S. European Commands. Other elements are 
U.S.-based units. Each of the armed services is represented. 
Although U.S. forces are equipped for combat, this movement is 
being undertaken solely for the purpose of enhancing embassy 
security and ensuring the security of American citizens. United 
States forces will redeploy as soon as the additional security 
support is determined to be 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.