[House Document 105-63]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




105th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-63


 
                            STATUS ON ZAIRE

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  FROM

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

   A LETTER NOTIFYING THE CONGRESS THAT ON MARCH 25, 1997, A STANDBY 
EVACUATION FORCE OF THE U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL FROM THE U.S. EUROPEAN 
 COMMAND AND THE UNITED STATES DEPLOYED TO CONGO AND GABON TO PROVIDE 
  ENHANCED SECURITY FOR THE MORE THAN 300 AMERICAN PRIVATE CITIZENS, 
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AND SELECTED THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS IN KINSHASA, 
            ZAIRE, SHOULD THEIR EVACUATION BECOME NECESSARY




 April 9, 1997.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed


                                           The White House,
                                        Washington, March 27, 1997.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: The Republic of Zaire has been embroiled 
in an internal conflict for several months. Rebels seeking to 
oust ailing President Mobutu Sese Seko have captured more than 
one-fifth of the country. While there is no evidence that 
Americans are being directly targeted, the potential for civil 
disorder and general unrest in Kinshasa may subject American 
citizens and property to a range of risks, including those from 
criminal acts and random violence.
    On March 25, 1997, a standby evacuation force of U.S. 
military personnel from the U.S. European Command and the 
United States deployed to Congo and Gabon to provide enhanced 
security for the more than 300 American private citizens, 
government employees, and selected third country nationals in 
Kinshasa, should their evacuation become necessary. We do not 
anticipate that the more than 200 remaining American citizens 
outside Kinshasa will be at risk. These forces augment the 
noncombat-equipped enabling forces that deployed to Congo on 
March 21, 1997, to prepare for a possible evacuation operation.
    The enabling and evacuation forces based in Brazzaville, 
Congo and Libreville, Gabon are prepared for a possible 
evacuation. These forces include a forward deployed Joint Task 
Force Headquarters, fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, airport 
control and support equipment, and medical and security 
personnel and equipment. In addition, USS Nassau, with a Marine 
Battalion Landing Team and a helicopter squadron reinforced 
with fixed-wing AV-8 Harrier aircraft embarked, is moving into 
the area.
    Although U.S. forces are equipped for combat, this movement 
is being undertaken solely for the purpose of preparing to 
protect American citizens and property. United States forces 
will redeploy as soon as it is determined that an evacuation is 
not necessary or, if necessary, is completed.
    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 prepare to protect American citizens in Zaire.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                
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