[House Document 105-55]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




105th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-55


 
                           STATUS ON ALBANIA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

   A LETTER NOTIFYING CONGRESS THAT ON MARCH 13, 1997, U.S. MILITARY 
 PERSONNEL WERE DEPLOYED TO PROVIDE ENHANCED SECURITY FOR THE AMERICAN 
  EMBASSY IN TIRANA, ALBANIA AND TO CONDUCT THE EVACUATION OF CERTAIN 
          U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PRIVATE U.S. CITIZENS




 March 17, 1997.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed


                                           The White House,
                                    Washington, DC, March 15, 1997.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In February 1997, civil unrest broke out 
in Albania after a nationwide pyramid investment scheme 
destroyed the life savings of tens of thousands of investors 
unaware of the fraudulent nature of those investments. 
Protesters took to the streets and later joined political 
opponents of President Sali Berisha in demanding his removal. 
By March 13, much of Albania, including the capital city of 
Tirana, had fallen into widespread disorder. Looting and 
gunfire was reported throughout the country as sympathetic 
police and military officials refused to enforce the law. While 
there was no evidence that Americans were being directly 
targeted, the disorder and violence sweeping the country 
subjected American citizens and property to risks ranging from 
criminal acts to random violence.
    On March 13, due to the rapidly deteriorating security 
situation and the potential threat to American citizens and the 
American Embassy, U.S. military personnel were deployed to 
provide enhanced security for the American Embassy in Tirana 
and to conduct the evacuation of certain U.S. Government 
employees and private U.S. citizens. Approximately 25 U.S. 
Marines entered the capital city on March 13 and immediately 
took up positions in and around the American Embassy compound. 
Evacuation operations began concurrently as U.S. CH-46 
helicopters operating from the U.S.S. Nassau amphibious ready 
group transported approximately 50 U.S. citizens to U.S. Navy 
ships at sea. Evacuation efforts resumed on March 14 and are 
expected to continue for several days. The rescue helicopters 
are escorted by AH-1W Cobra helicopters, which came under fire 
but were not damaged during separate, sporadic incidents on 
March 14. In addition, a 150-member Marine rifle company has 
also been inserted near the American Embassy to provide 
additional security for the evacuation.
    The Marines involved in this operation are from the Marine 
Expeditionary Unit currently operating in the Adriatic Sea. 
Although U.S. forces are equipped for combat, the evacuation is 
being undertaken solely for the purpose of protecting American 
citizens and property. United States 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 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 protect American citizens and the American Embassy in 
Tirana.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                
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