[House Document 106-141]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]





106th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 106-141
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                   U.S. MILITARY FORCES IN EAST TIMOR

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

   A REPORT TO CONGRESS, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, 
              REGARDING U.S. MILITARY FORCES IN EAST TIMOR




October 8, 1999.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed

                                -------                                

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
79-011                     WASHINGTON : 1999       





                                           The White House,
                                       Washington, October 8, 1999.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On September 15, 1999, the United Nations 
Security Council, under Chapter VII of the Charter, authorized 
the establishment of a multinational force to restore peace and 
security in East Timor, to protect and support the United 
Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), and, within force 
capabilities, to facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. 
In support of this multinational effort, I directed a limited 
number of U.S. military forces to deploy to East Timor to 
provide support to the multinational force (INTERFET) being 
assembled under Australian leadership to carry out the mission 
described in Security Council Resolution 1264. United States 
support to the multinational force has thus far been limited to 
communications, intelligence, logistics, planning assistance, 
and transportation.
    Recently, I authorized the deployment of the amphibious 
ship, USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3), and her embarked helicopters, 
to the East Timor region, including Indonesian waters, to 
provide helicopter airlift and search and rescue support to the 
multinational operation. Also, embarked in BELLEAU WOOD is a 
portion of her assigned complement of personnel from the 31st 
Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU 
(SOC)). At this time, I do not anticipate that the embarked 
Marines will be deployed ashore, with the exception of the 
temporary deployment of a communications element to support air 
operations.
    At this point, it is not possible to predict how long this 
operation will continue. The duration of the deployment depends 
upon the course of events in East Timor and may include 
rotation of naval assets and embarked aircraft. United States 
support for this multinational effort will continue until 
transition to a U.N. peacekeeping force is complete. It is, 
however, our objective to redeploy U.S. forces as soon as 
circumstances permit.
    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.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                

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