[House Document 107-217]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



107th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 107-217 


 
 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




May 20, 2002.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations and 
                         ordered to be printed

                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
99-011                     WASHINGTON : 2002

                                           The White House,
                                          Washington, May 17, 2002.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In my report to the Congress of November 
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 
prepared by my Administration, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution (Public Law 93-148), to help ensure that the 
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 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 
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 5,100 U.S. military personnel. An additional 468 
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 to 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 personnel 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 the adoption of the Constitutional 
Framework for Provisional Self-Government and successful 
Kosovo-wide elections 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. Intensified, robust KFOR patrolling on 
the Macedonia/Kosovo border was a key factor in reducing 
violence in Macedonia. At the same time, 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. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current 
force levels, future requirements, force structure, force 
reductions, and the eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO is 
considering plans to regionalize and rationalize its force 
structure in the Balkans, including Kosovo. Any changes in KFOR 
should be announced at the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting 
later this month. The KFOR has transferred full responsibility 
for public safety and policing 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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