[House Document 109-126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

109th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 109-126

 
        REPORT ON THE STATUS OF UNITED STATES EFFORTS IN LEBANON

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

A LETTER NOTIFYING CONGRESS, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, 
THAT ON JULY 14, 2006, DUE TO THE UNCERTAIN SECURITY SITUATION AND THE 
   POSSIBLE THREAT TO AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN 
LEBANON, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO ASSIST 
            IN THE DEPARTURE OF AMERICAN CITIZENS IN LEBANON




 July 19, 2006.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                         Washington, July 18, 2006.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: Hostilities involving Israeli military 
forces and Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon commenced on July 
12, 2006, and have included military operations in the vicinity 
of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.
    Although there is no evidence that Americans are being 
directly targeted, the security situation has deteriorated and 
now presents a potential threat to American citizens and the 
U.S. Embassy. On July 14, the Department of State first 
requested Department of Defense assistance to support the 
departure of American citizens from Lebanon. On July 15, U.S. 
military helicopters temporarily deployed to Cyprus. On July 
16, these combat-equipped helicopters delivered to U.S. 
Embassy, Beirut, a contingent of U.S. military personnel who 
will assist in planning and conducting the departure from 
Lebanon of U.S. Embassy personnel and citizens and designated 
third country personnel. The helicopters also transported U.S. 
citizens from Beirut to Cyprus. It is expected that these 
helicopters will continue to provide support to the Embassy, 
including for the departure of additional personnel from 
Lebanon. It is likely that additional combat-equipped U.S. 
military forces may be deployed to Lebanon and Cyprus and other 
locations, as necessary, in order to support further efforts to 
assist in the departure of persons from Lebanon and to provide 
security.
    These actions are being undertaken solely for the purpose 
of protecting American citizens and property. United States 
forces will redeploy as soon as it is determined that the 
threat to U.S. citizens and property has ended and the 
departure of any persons, as necessary, is completed.
    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 Resolution.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.