[House Document 106-300]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 106-300


 
      A REPORT ON UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES DEPLOYED TO YEMEN

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  FROM

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

HIS REPORT ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES SENT TO 
  ASSIST THE USS COLE AND TO PROVIDE MEDICAL, SECURITY, AND DISASTER 
  RESPONSE ASSISTANCE IN YEMEN




October 16, 2000.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed

                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
89-011                     WASHINGTON : 2000

                                           The White House,
                                      Washington, October 14, 2000.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: At approximately 5:15 a.m. eastern 
daylight time, October 12, 2000, a small boat exploded 
alongside the USS COLE (DDG 67) while the USS COLE was mooring 
to a harbor fueling island during a refueling stop in the port 
of Aden, Yemen. A number of American sailors were killed or 
wounded, and the USS COLE suffered extensive damage. Department 
of Defense assets were immediately identified to provide 
medical, security, and disaster responses.
    Later in the day on October 12, 2000, approximately 45 
military personnel from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command 
deployed to Aden to provide medical, security, and disaster 
response assistance. In addition, a team of approximately 50 
U.S. military security personnel arrived in Aden in the early 
morning hours of October 13, 2000. It is also anticipated that 
additional similar security elements may be deployed to the 
area. The security personnel will enhance the ability of the 
United States to ensure the security of the USS COLE and the 
personnel responding to the incident. Although the security 
personnel are equipped for combat, their presence is solely for 
the purpose of assisting in on-site security. Finally, two U.S. 
Navy surface combatant vessels are operating in or near Yemeni 
territorial waters to provide communications and other support, 
as required. United States forces will redeploy as soon as the 
additional security support is determined to be necessary.
    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 
assist in ensuring security of U.S. military forces and other 
personnel overseas.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                  
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