[House Document 107-131]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

107th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 107-131


 
REPORT ON MILITARY ACTIONS TAKEN TO RESPOND TO THE THREAT OF TERRORISM

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

A REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION AND PUBLIC LAW 107-
   40, TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT INFORMED ON MILITARY 
          ACTIONS TAKEN TO RESPOND TO THE THREAT OF TERRORISM




October 9, 2001.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                       Washington, October 9, 2001.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: At approximately 12:30 p.m. (EDT) on 
October 7, 2001, on my orders, U.S. Armed Forces began combat 
action in Afghanistan against Al Qaida terrorists and their 
Taliban supporters. This military action is a part of our 
campaign against terrorism and is designed to disrupt the use 
of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations.
    We are responding to the brutal September 11 attacks on our 
territory, our citizens, and our way of life, and to the 
continuing threat of terrorist acts against the United States 
and our friends and allies. This follows the deployment of 
various combat-equipped and combat support forces to a number 
of locations in the Central and Pacific Command areas of 
operations, as I reported to the Congress on September 24, to 
prepare for the campaign to prevent and deter terrorism.
    I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional 
authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations as Commander in 
Chief and Chief Executive. It is not possible to know at this 
time either the duration of combat operations or the scope and 
duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to 
counter the terrorist threat to the United States. As I have 
stated previously, it is likely that the American campaign 
against terrorism will be lengthy. I will direct such 
additional measures as necessary in exercise of our right to 
self-defense and to protect U.S. citizens and interests.
    I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep 
the Congress informed, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution and Public Law 107-40. Officials of my 
Administration and I have been communicating regularly with the 
leadership and other members of Congress, and we will continue 
to do so. I appreciate the continuing support of the Congress, 
including its enactment of Public Law 107-40, in these actions 
to protect the security of the United States of America and its 
citizens, civilian and military, here and abroad.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.

                                
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