[House Document 108-156]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

108th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-156


 
                  REPORT ON CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS IN

                 SUPPORT OF PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS IN THE

                           FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION (PUB. 
L. 93-148), TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED ON 
CONTINUED U.S. CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS IN THE 
                           FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.




January 23, 2004.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                      Washington, January 22, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In my report to the Congress of July 22, 
2003, I provided information on the deployment of combat-
equipped U.S. Armed Forces to Bosnia and Herzegovina and other 
states in the region in order to participate in and support the 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led Stabilization 
Force (SFOR). The SFOR began its mission and assumed authority 
from the NATO-led Implementation Force on December 20, 1996. I 
am providing this supplemental report, prepared by my 
Administration and 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 the former Yugoslavia.
    The U.N. Security Council authorized Member States to 
continue SFOR for a period of 12 months in U.N. Security 
Council Resolution 1491 of July 11, 2003. The mission of SFOR 
is to provide a focused military presence in order to deter 
hostilities, stabilize and consolidate the peace in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, contribute to a secure environment, and provide, 
within its means and capabilities, selective support to key 
tasks and key civil implementation organizations.
    The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina is approximately 1,800 personnel. United States 
personnel comprise approximately 15 percent of the total SFOR 
force of approximately 12,000 personnel. During the second half 
of 2003, 14 NATO nations and 11 others provided military 
personnel or other support to SFOR. Most U.S. forces in Bosnia 
and Herzegovina are assigned to Multinational Brigade, North, 
headquartered near the city of Tuzla. The U.S. forces continue 
to support SFOR efforts to apprehend persons indicted for war 
crimes and to conduct counterterrorism operations. In the last 
6 months, U.S. forces have not sustained any combat-related 
fatalities.
    I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in 
these operations 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 about developments in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina. I will continue to consult closely with the 
Congress regarding our efforts to foster peace and stability in 
the former Yugoslavia.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.

                                
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