[House Document 108-163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

108th Congress, 2d Session- - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-163
 
           A REPORT CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

A REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, TO INFORM CONGRESS 
OF THE DECISION TO DEPLOY A SECURITY FORCE TO PORT-au-PRINCE, HAITI, TO 
    AUGMENT THE EMBASSY SECURITY FORCES, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148




    February 25, 2004.--Referred to the Committee on International 
                  Relations and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, February 25, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: Increasing armed rebellion in Haiti, the 
limited effectiveness of the Haitian National Police, and 
insecurity in Port-au-Prince brought on by increased armed pro-
government gang activity have contributed to a climate of 
insecurity for the U.S. Embassy and its supporting facilities 
in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. These circumstances and the potential 
for further deterioration of the security environment in Haiti 
render the safety of the U.S. Embassy, its facilities, and U.S. 
personnel uncertain.
    On February 23, 2004, a security force of approximately 55 
U.S. military personnel from the U.S. Joint Forces Command 
deployed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to augment the Embassy 
security forces.
    Although the U.S. forces are equipped for combat, this 
movement was undertaken solely for the purpose of protecting 
American citizens and property. It is anticipated that U.S. 
forces will provide this support until such time as it is 
determined that the security situation has stabilized and the 
threat to the Embassy, its facilities, and U.S. personnel has 
ended.
    I have taken this action 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 informed, consistent with 
the War Powers Resolutions.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.

                                
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