[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.