[House Document 106-258]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 106-258


 
     REPORT ON CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PEACEKEEPING 
                         OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, TO 
  HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED ON CONTINUED U.S. 
  CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS IN KOSOVO




 June 22, 2000.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed

                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
79-011                     WASHINGTON : 2000

                                           The White House,
                                         Washington, June 16, 2000.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In my report to the Congress of December 
15, 1999, I provided information on the deployment of combat-
equipped U.S. military personnel as the U.S. contribution to 
the NATO-led security force (KFOR) in Kosovo. Additional U.S. 
personnel are also deployed in countries in the region and 
serve as support for our forces in Kosovo. I am providing this 
supplemental report, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, 
to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on 
continued U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts 
in Kosovo.
    The U.N. Security Council authorized member states to 
establish the international security presence in Kosovo in U.N. 
Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1244 of June 10, 1999, for 
an initial period of 12 months, to continue thereafter unless 
the Security Council decides otherwise. The mission of KFOR is 
to provide a military presence in order to deter renewed 
hostilities; verify and, if necessary, enforce the terms of the 
Military Technical Agreement (MTA) between NATO and the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY); enforce the terms of the 
agreement of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to 
demilitarize and reintegrate itself into civil society; provide 
operational direction to the Kosovo Protection Corps; and 
maintain a safe and secure environment to facilitate the work 
of the U.N. Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) by 
providing, until UNMIK or appropriate local organizations 
assume these functions, for public safety and order and border 
monitoring.
    Currently, the U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is 
approximately 7,500 U.S. military personnel. This number once 
again will decrease to approximately 6,000 U.S. military 
personnel when ongoing troop rotations are completed. In the 
last 6 months, all 19 NATO nations and 20 others, including 
Russia and Ukraine, have provided military personnel and other 
support personnel to KFOR.
    In Kosovo, the U.S. forces are assigned to a sector 
principally centered around Gnjilane in the eastern portion of 
Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, 
maintaining a safe and secure environment is the primary 
military task. United States forces conduct security patrols in 
urban areas and in the countryside throughout their sector. 
Approximately one-half of KFOR's total available personnel is 
directly committed to protection tasks, including protection of 
the ethnic minorities. The KFOR forces are under NATO command 
and control and rules of engagement.
    In addition, other U.S. military personnel are deployed to 
other countries in the region to serve in administrative and 
logistics support roles for the U.S. forces in KFOR. 
Specifically, approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel are 
operating in support of KFOR in Macedonia, Greece, and Albania.
    Since my report to the Congress of December 15, in 
accordance with UNSCR 1244 and the MTA, FRY military, 
paramilitary, and police forces have not reentered Kosovo. The 
KLA agreed on June 21, 1999, to a cease fire, to withdraw from 
the zones of conflict in Kosovo, and to demilitarize itself. On 
September 20, 1999, KFOR Commander Lieutenant General Sir Mike 
Jackson accepted the KLA's certification that the KLA had 
completed its demilitarization in accordance with the June 21 
agreement. The UNMIK thereafter established a civil emergency 
services entity known as the Kosovo Protection Corps that is 
intended to provide civic assistance in emergencies and other 
forms of humanitarian assistance.
    The UNMIK has made progress in establishing an interim 
administration for the people of Kosovo. The KFOR, within its 
means and capabilities, is providing broad support to UNMIK. As 
UNMIK is still developing its structures in Kosovo, KFOR 
continues to support UNMIK at all levels, including public 
administration, and is represented at the Kosovo Transitional 
Council and the Joint Civil Commissions. The KFOR personnel 
provide a security presence in towns, villages, and the 
country-side. Checkpoints and patrols are organized in key 
areas in Kosovo to provide security, resolve disputes, and help 
instill in the community a feeling of confidence. In addition, 
KFOR is helping to provide assistance in the areas of 
humanitarian relief, international civil police training, and 
the maintenance of civic works resources.
    Ethnic tensions in Kosovo, however, remain a concern, 
particularly in areas where Kosovar Serbs and Kosovar Albanians 
live in close proximity.
    NATO has planned for KFOR's mission to be formally reviewed 
at 6-month intervals with a view to progressively reducing the 
force's presence and, eventually, withdrawing. Over time, KFOR 
will incrementally transfer its security and policing 
responsibilities as appropriate to the international civil 
administration, local institutions, and other organizations.
    I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional 
authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in 
Chief and Chief Executive. I appreciate the continued support 
of the Congress in these actions.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                  
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