[House Document 106-203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 106-203


 
                A REPORT REGARDING FORCES IN EAST TIMOR

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

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




 March 1, 2000.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed

                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
70-011                     WASHINGTON : 2000

                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, February 25, 2000.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On October 8, 1999, I reported to the 
Congress, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, the 
deployment of a limited number of U.S. military forces to East 
Timor to provide support to the multinational force (INTERFET) 
peacekeeping mission in East Timor. This force, established by 
the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the 
Charter, was to restore peace and security in East Timor, 
protect and support the United Nations Mission in East Timor, 
and, within force capabilities, facilitate humanitarian 
assistance operations. The U.S. support to the multinational 
force was limited to planning and staff, communications, 
intelligence, and logistics.
    This multinational force was formally replaced in East 
Timor on February 23, 2000, by the United Nations Transitional 
Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). Consequently, the U.S. 
personnel who were the subject of my October 8 report have 
redeployed from East Timor. The UNTAET, which was established 
by Security Council Resolution 1272, has a mandate that 
includes maintaining law and order throughout East Timor, 
establishing an effective administration, ensuring the 
coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance, and 
supporting capacity-building for self-government. To implement 
this plan, the Security Council authorized UNTAET to deploy up 
to 8,950 military personnel, 200 military observers, and 1,640 
civilian police.
    The U.S. military contribution to UNTAET is small. The 
United States has agreed to provide three military observers 
and one judge advocate; these personnel serve in the United 
Nations pursuant to the United Nations Participation Act 
(Public Law 79-264) and will operate under U.N. operational 
control.
    Nonetheless, because the United States has a strong 
national security interest in promoting regional security and 
supporting East Timor's transition to independence, the United 
States will maintain a credible and visible presence in East 
Timor. The United Nations also supports a continued U.S. 
presence in East Timor and has indicated that East Timor would 
benefit greatly from U.S. military deployments to and 
engagement activities in East Timor.
    As a result, I have authorized the deployment of a support 
group (USGET), consisting of approximately 30 U.S. personnel, 
to facilitate and coordinate U.S. military activities in East 
Timor. Personnel assigned to USGET will operate under U.S. 
command and control and rules of engagement. In addition, I 
have authorized a rotational presence of U.S. forces to be 
achieved through temporary deployments, including periodic ship 
visits, to East Timor during which U.S. forces will conduct 
humanitarian and assistance activities throughout East Timor. 
These rotational presence operations will provide peacetime 
exercise opportunities for U.S. forces in East Timor, allow for 
a flexible and visible U.S. force presence independent of 
UNTAET, and provide humanitarian and civic assistance to East 
Timor's citizens in critical areas.
    The first rotational presence operation, involving the USS 
BONHOMME RICHARD amphibious group, her embarked helicopters, 
and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations 
Capable), commenced in East Timor on February 23, 2000. These 
forces are operating under U.S. command and control and rules 
of engagement.
    At this point, our rotational presence operations are 
envisioned to continue through the summer of 2000. It is likely 
that future rotational presence operations will include 
rotation of naval assets, embarked aircraft, and small light 
engineer units. Certain of these forces, including those of the 
BONHOMME RICHARD, will be equipped with the normal complement 
of defensive weapons. The duration of our support depends upon 
the course of events in East Timor. It is, however, our 
objective to redeploy USGET and reduce rotational presence 
operations 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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