[House Document 107-151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



107th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 107-151 


 
 REPORT ON CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS 
                               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




    November 19, 2001.--Referred to the Committee on International 
                  Relations and ordered to be printed
                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
99-011                     WASHINGTON : 2001

                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, November 18, 2001.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In my report to the Congress of May 18, 
2001, I provided information regarding the continued deployment 
of combat-equipped U.S. military personnel as the U.S. 
contribution to the NATO-led international security force in 
Kosovo (KFOR) and to other countries in the region in support 
of that force. I am providing this supplemental report, 
consistent with the War Powers Resolution, to help ensure that 
Congress is kept fully informed on continued U.S. contributions 
in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo.
    As noted in previous reports, the U.N. Security Council 
authorized member states to establish KFOR in U.N. Security 
Council Resolution 1244 of June 10, 1999. The mission for 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 
Undertaking on Demilitarization and Transformation of the 
former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA); provide day-to-day 
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).
    Currently, the U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is 
approximately 5,500 U.S. military personnel. An additional 500 
U.S. military personnel are deployed as the National Support 
Element in Macedonia, with an occasional presence in Albania 
and Greece. In the last 6 months, all 19 NATO nations and 19 
others, including Russia, have provided military personnel and 
other support personnel for KFOR in Kosovo and other countries 
in the region.
    In Kosovo, the U.S. forces are assigned to a sector 
principally centered upon Gnjilane in the eastern portion of 
Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, 
maintaining a safe and secure environment remains the primary 
military task. United States forces conduct security patrols in 
urban areas and in the countryside throughout their sector. 
Approximately 79 percent of KFOR soldiers are dedicated to 
patrolling, manning checkpoints, and mounting border and 
boundary patrols. The KFOR forces operate under NATO command 
and control and rules of engagement.
    The UNMIK continues to make progress in establishing the 
necessary structures for provisional democratic self-government 
in Kosovo, including through adoption of the Constitutional 
Framework for Provisional Self-Government, and preparations for 
Kosovo-wide elections scheduled to occur on November 17, 2001. 
The KFOR coordinates with and supports UNMIK at most levels, 
and is represented at the Joint Implementation Commission. 
Also, KFOR support includes providing a security presence in 
towns, villages, and the countryside, and organizing 
checkpoints and patrols in key areas of Kosovo to provide 
security, protect minorities, resolve disputes, and help 
instill in the community a feeling of confidence. Finally, KFOR 
is supporting, within its means and capabilities, the provision 
of humanitarian relief, public safety and order, and the 
maintenance of essential civic works resources.
    NATO continues formally to review KFOR's mission at 6-month 
intervals. The most recent 6-month review will be completed 
this month, and presented to the North Atlantic Council in 
December 2001. These reviews provide a basis for assessing 
current force levels, future requirements, force structure, 
force reductions, and the eventual withdrawal of KFOR. The KFOR 
has transferred full responsibility for its public safety and 
policing responsibilities to the UNMIK international and local 
police forces in every area except Kosovska Mitrovica, where 
the responsibility is shared due to security concerns.
    The continued deployment of U.S. forces has been undertaken 
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,
                                                    George W. Bush.
                                  
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