[House Document 108-231]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




108th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-231

 
  REPORT ON THE STATUS OF UNITED STATES EFFORTS IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON 
                               TERRORISM

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

  A REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, PUBLIC LAW 107-
  243, AND PUBLIC LAW 102-1, TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT 
 INFORMED ON THE STATUS OF UNITED STATES EFFORTS IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON 
                               TERRORISM




    November 16, 2004.--Referred to the Committee on International 
                  Relations and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                      Washington, November 4, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: I am providing this consolidated 
supplemental report, prepared by my Administration and 
consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), 
as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about 
deployments of U.S. combat-equipped armed forces around the 
world. This supplemental report covers operations in support of 
the global war on terrorism, Kosovo, and Bosnia and 
Herzegovina.
    On March 21, 2003, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution, I reported that I had directed U.S. Armed Forces, 
operating with other coalition forces, to commence combat 
operations on March 19, 2003, against Iraq. Thereafter, I 
included information regarding the deployment of U.S. forces in 
Iraq in reports on Iraq to the Congress under Public Laws 107-
243 and 102-1, as amended. On July 2, 2004, I delegated to the 
Secretary of State the authority to make these detailed reports 
on Iraq, but I am including information about the deployment of 
U.S. forces in Iraq in this consolidated war powers report.


                      the global war on terrorism


    Since September 24, 2001, I have reported, consistent with 
Public Law 107-40 and the War Powers Resolution, on the combat 
operations in Afghanistan against al-Qaida terrorists and their 
Taliban supporters, which began on October 7, 2001, and the 
deployment of various combat-equipped and combat-support forces 
to a number of locations in the Central, Pacific, and Southern 
Command areas of operation in support of those operations and 
of other operations in our global war on terrorism.
    I will direct additional measures as necessary in the 
exercise of the U.S. right to self-defense and to protect U.S. 
citizens and interests. Such measures may include short-notice 
deployments of special operations and other forces for 
sensitive operations in various locations throughout the world. 
It is not possible to know at this time either the precise 
duration of combat operations or the precise scope and duration 
of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to counter the 
terrorist threat to the United States.
    United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous 
coalition partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign to 
pursue al-Qaida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-
Qaida. These operations have seriously degraded al-Qaida's 
training capabilities. United States Armed Forces, with the 
assistance of numerous coalition partners, ended the Taliban 
regime in Afghanistan and are actively pursuing and engaging 
al-Qaida and remnant Taliban fighters. United States forces 
also have supported the International Security Assistance Force 
in providing security in connection with the Afghan elections.
    The United States continues to detain several hundred al-
Qaida and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a 
continuing threat to the United States and its interests. The 
combat-equipped and combat-support forces deployed to Naval 
Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S. Southern Command area 
of operations since January 2002, continue to conduct secure 
detention operations for enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay.
    The U.N. Security Council authorized a Multinational Force 
(MNF) in Iraq under unified command in U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1511 of October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its 
authorization in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 of June 
8, 2004, noting the Iraqi Interim Government's request to 
retain the presence of the MNF. The mission of the MNF is to 
contribute to security and stability in Iraq, including by 
assisting in building the capability of Iraqi security forces 
and institutions, as the Iraqi people plan democratic elections 
and as reconstruction continues. The U.S. contribution to the 
MNF is more than 135,000 military personnel.
    In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a 
continuing and imminent threat to the United States, our 
friends and allies, and our forces abroad, the United States 
continues to work with friends and allies in areas around the 
world. U.S. combat-equipped and combat-support forces are 
located in the Horn of Africa region, and the U.S. forces 
headquarters element in Djibouti provides command and control 
support as necessary for military operations against al-Qaida 
and other international terrorists in the Horn of Africa 
region, including Yemen. These forces also assist in enhancing 
counterterrorism capabilities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, 
Eritrea, and Djibouti. In addition, the United States continues 
to conduct maritime interception operations on the high seas in 
the areas of responsibility of all of the geographic combatant 
commanders. These maritime operations have the responsibility 
to stop the movement, arming, or financing of international 
terrorists.

                      NATO-LED KOSOVO FORCE (KFOR)

    As noted in previous reports regarding U.S. contributions 
in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, 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 an international security presence in 
order to deter renewed hostilities; verify, and, if necessary, 
enforce the terms of the Military Technical Agreement between 
NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (which is now 
Serbia and Montenegro); enforce the terms of the Undertaking on 
Demilitarization and Transformation of the former Kosovo 
Liberation Army; 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, there are 23 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. 
Eleven non-NATO contributing countries also participate by 
providing military personnel and other support personnel to 
KFOR. The U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is about 1,800 
U.S. military personnel, or approximately 10 percent of KFOR's 
total strength of approximately 18,000 personnel. In addition, 
U.S. military personnel occasionally operate from Macedonia, 
Albania, and Greece in support of KFOR operations.
    The U.S. forces have been assigned to a sector principally 
centered around Gnjilane in the eastern region of Kosovo. For 
U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and 
secure environment remains the primary military task. The KFOR 
operates under NATO command and control and rules of 
engagement. The KFOR coordinates with and supports UNMIK at 
most levels; provides a security presence in towns, villages, 
and the countryside; and organizes checkpoints and patrols in 
key areas to provide security, protect minorities, resolve 
disputes, and help instill in the community a feeling of 
confidence.
    In accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, 
the UNMIK continues to transfer additional competencies to the 
Kosovar Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, which 
includes the President, Prime Minister, multiple ministries, 
and the Kosovo Assembly. The UNMIK retains ultimate authority 
in some sensitive areas such as police, justice, and ethnic 
minority affairs.
    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 has 
adopted the Joint Operations Area plan to regionalize and 
rationalize its force structure in the Balkans. The UNMIK 
international police and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) have 
full responsibility for public safety and policing throughout 
Kosovo except in the area of Mitrovica, where the KFOR and 
UNMIK share this responsibility due to security concerns. The 
UNMIK international police and KPS also have begun to assume 
responsibility for guarding patrimonial sites and established 
border-crossing checkpoints. The KFOR often augments security 
in particularly sensitive areas or in response to particular 
threats.

     NATO-LED STABILIZATION FORCE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (SFOR)

    Regarding U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping 
efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.N. Security Council 
authorized, in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1551 of July 9, 
2004, Member States to continue SFOR for an additional period 
of 6 months in anticipation of the conclusion of SFOR's 
operations, and the commencement of a European Union (EU) 
mission, including a military component, in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina by the end of 2004. The mission of SFOR is to 
provide a deterrent presence to help stabilize and consolidate 
the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contribute to a secure 
environment, and perform key supporting tasks including support 
to the international civil presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina is approximately 1,000 personnel. United States 
personnel comprise approximately 12 percent of the 
approximately 8,500 personnel assigned to SFOR. Currently, 20 
NATO nations and 8 others provide military personnel or other 
support to SFOR. Most U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina are 
assigned to Multinational Task Force, North, headquartered near 
the city of Tuzla. United States forces continue to support 
SFOR efforts to apprehend persons indicted for war crimes and 
to conduct counterterrorism operations.
    In June 2004 at the Istanbul Summit, NATO Heads of State 
and Government welcomed the offer of the EU to establish a new 
and separate mission in Bosnia, including a military component, 
and decided to establish a new NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo at 
the end of SFOR's operations. This NATO Headquarters, to which 
U.S. forces will be assigned, will have the principal task of 
providing advice on defense reform. The NATO headquarters also 
will undertake certain supporting operational tasks, including 
counterterrorism and supporting the International Criminal 
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia with regard to the detention 
of persons indicted for war crimes.
    I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in 
all of these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority 
to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and 
Chief Executive. Officials of my Administration and I 
communicate regularly with the leadership and other Members of 
Congress with regard to these deployments, and we will continue 
to do so.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.

                                  
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