[House Document 106-42]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
106th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 106-42
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USE OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
__________
COMMUNICATION
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
HIS NOTIFICATION DIRECTING U.S. ARMED FORCES TO COMMENCE A SERIES OF
AIR STRIKES IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA (FRY) IN RESPONSE TO
THE FRY GOVERNMENT'S CONTINUED CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE AND REPRESSION
AGAINST THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION IN KOSOVO
April 12, 1999.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations
and ordered to be printed
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U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
69-011 WASHINGTON : 1999
The White House,
Washington, DC, March 26, 1999.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Speaker: At approximately 1:30 p.m. eastern
standard time, on March 24, 1999, U.S. military forces, at my
direction and in coalition with our NATO allies, began a series
of air strikes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in
response to the FRY government's continued campaign of violence
and repression against the ethnic Albanian population in
Kosovo. The mission of the air strikes is to demonstrate the
seriousness of NATO's purpose so that the Serbian leaders
understand the imperative of reversing course; to deter an even
bloodier offensive against innocent civilians in Kosovo; and,
if necessary, to seriously damage the Serbian military's
capacity to harm the people of Kosovo. In short, if President
Milosevic will not make peace, we will limit his ability to
make war.
As you are aware, the Government of the FRY has been
engaged in a brutal conflict in Kosovo. In this conflict,
thousands of innocent Kosovar civilians have been killed or
injured by FRY government security forces. The continued
repression of Kosovars by the FRY military and security police
forces constitutes a threat to regional security, particularly
to Albania and Macedonia and, potentially, to Greece and to
Turkey. Tens of thousands of others have been displaced from
their homes, and many of them have fled to the neighboring
countries of Bosnia, Albania, and Macedonia. These actions are
the result of policies pursued by President Milosevic, who
started the wars in Bosnia and Croatia, and moved against
Slovenia in the last decade.
The United States, working closely with our European allies
and Russia, have pursued a diplomatic solution to this crisis
since last fall. The Kosovo leaders agreed to the interim
settlement negotiated at Rambouillet, but the FRY government
refused even to discuss key elements of the peace agreement.
Instead, the Government of the FRY continues its attacks on the
Kosovar population and has deployed 40,000 troops in and around
Kosovo in preparation for a major offensive and in clear
violation of the commitments it had made.
The FRY government has failed to comply with U.N. Security
Council resolutions, and its actions are in violation of its
obligations under the U.N. Charter and its other international
commitments. The FRY government's actions in Kosovo are not
simply an internal matter. The Security Council has condemned
FRY actions as a threat to regional peace and security. The FRY
government's violence creates a conflict with no natural
boundaries, pushing refugees across borders and potentially
drawing in neighboring countries. The Kosovo region is a
tinderbox that could ignite a wider European war with dangerous
consequences to the United States.
United States and NATO forces have targeted the FRY
government's integrated air defense system, military and
security police command and control elements, and military and
security police facilities and infrastructure. United States
naval ships and aircraft and U.S. Air Force aircraft are
participating in these operations. Many of our NATO allies are
also contributing aircraft and other forces.
In addition, since this air operation began, the U.S.
Embassy in Skopje, Macedonia, has been subjected to
increasingly hostile demonstrations by a large number of
Serbian sympathizers. In response, I have authorized a unit
consisting of about 100 combat-equipped Marines from USS NASSAU
(LHA 4), which is supporting the air operations in Kosovo, to
deploy to Skopje to enhance security at our embassy. These
Marines will remain deployed so long as is necessary to protect
our embassy and U.S. persons.
We cannot predict with certainty how long these operations
will need to continue. Milosevic must stop his offensive, stop
the repression, and agree to a peace accord based on the
framework from Rambouillet. If he does not comply with the
demands of the international community, NATO operations will
seriously damage Serbia's military capacity to harm the people
of Kosovo. NATO forces will also use such force as is necessary
to defend themselves in the accomplishment of their mission.
I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional
authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in
Chief and Chief Executive. In doing so, I have taken into
account the views and support expressed by the Congress in S.
Con. Res. 21 and H. Con. Res. 42.
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,
Bill Clinton.