[House Document 109-73]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document
109-73
A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
__________
COMMUNICATION
FROM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
A SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS
RESOLUTION, TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT THE DEPLOYMENTS OF U.S.
COMBAT-EQUIPPED ARMED FORCES IN SUPPORT OF THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM,
KOSOVO, AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148
December 13, 2005.--Referred to the Committee on International
Relations and ordered to be printed.
The White House,
Washington, December 7, 2005.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Speaker: I am providing this supplemental
consolidated 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 war on terror, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
the war on terror
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 war on terror.
I will direct additional measures as necessary in the
exercise of the right of the United States 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 scope or 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 been successful in seriously
degrading al-Qaida's training capabilities. United States Armed
Forces, with the assistance of numerous coalition partners,
ended the Taliban regime and are actively pursuing and engaging
remnant al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.
Approximately 280 U.S. personnel are also assigned to the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
The U.N. Security Council authorized the ISAF in U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1386 of December 20, 2001, and has
reaffirmed its authorization since that time, most recently,
for a 12-month period from October 13, 2005, in U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1623 of September 13, 2005. The mission of
the ISAF under NATO command is to assist the Government of
Afghanistan in creating a safe and secure environment that
allows reconstruction and the reestablishment of Afghan
authorities. Currently, all 26 NATO nations contribute to the
ISAF. Ten non-NATO contributing countries also participate by
providing military and other support personnel to the ISAF.
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 the approximately 500 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. In U.N. Security Council Resolution 1637 of November
8, 2005, the Security Council, noting the Iraqi Government's
request to retain the presence of the MNF, extended the MNF
mandate for a period ending on December 31, 2006. Under
Resolutions 1546 and 1637, the mission of the MNF is to
contribute to security and stability in Iraq, as reconstruction
continues, until the completion of Iraq's political
transformation. These contributions have included assisting in
building the capability of the Iraqi security forces and
institutions, as the Iraqi people, represented by the
Transitional National Assembly, drafted and approved a
constitution and progressed toward the establishment of a
constitutionally elected government. The U.S. contribution to
the MNF is approximately 160,000 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
globe. United States 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
counter terrorism capabilities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, 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 25 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 1,700
U.S. military personnel, or approximately 10 percent of KFOR's
total strength of approximately 17,000 personnel. Additionally,
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 the 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,
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 South Mitrovica, where 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 augments security in
particularly sensitive areas or in response to particular
threats as needed.
NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Pursuant to the June 2004 decision made by NATO Heads of
State and Government, and in accordance with U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1575 of November 22, 2004, NATO concluded
its Stabilization Force operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and
established NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo to continue to assist in
implementing the Peace Agreement in conjunction with a newly
established European Force. The NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo, to
which approximately 220 U.S. personnel are assigned, is, with
the European Force, the legal successor to SFOR. The principal
tasks of NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo are providing advice on
defense reform and performing operational supporting tasks,
such as counterterrorism and supporting the International
Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
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.