[House Document 111-61]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



111th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 111-61


 
   SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS 
   RESOLUTION, TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT THE GLOBAL DEPLOYMENT

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                     THEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES

                              transmitting

   SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS 
 RESOLUTION, TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT THE GLOBAL DEPLOYMENTS OF 
   U.S. ARMED FORCES EQUIPPED FOR COMBAT, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148




  September 8, 2009.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
         Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed
                                            The White House
                                         Washington, June 15, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Madam 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 of efforts to keep the Congress informed about 
global deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat. 
This supplemental report covers ongoing U.S. contingency 
operations overseas.
    Since October 7, 2001, the United States has conducted 
combat operations in Afghanistan against al-Qa'ida terrorists 
and their Taliban supporters, and has deployed various combat-
equipped forces to a number of locations in the Central, 
Pacific, European, Southern, and Africa Command areas of 
operation in support of those and other overseas operations. 
These operations and deployments remain ongoing and were 
previously reported consistent with Public Law 107-40 and the 
War Powers Resolution.
    In response to the terrorist threat, 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 the precise scope or 
the duration of the deployments of U.S. Armed Forces necessary 
to counter the terrorist threat to the United States.
    United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous 
international partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign 
to pursue al-Qa'ida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-
Qa'ida. These operations have been successful in seriously 
degrading al-Qa'ida's capabilities. United States Armed Forces, 
with the assistance of numerous international partners, brought 
an end to the Taliban regime. Our forces are actively pursuing 
and engaging remaining al-Qa'ida and Taliban fighters in 
Afghanistan. The total number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is 
approximately 58,000, of which approximately 20,000 are 
assigned to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) 
in Afghanistan. The U.N. Security Council authorized 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, 2008, in U.N. Security 
Council Resolution 1833 of September 22, 2008. The mission of 
ISAF, under NATO command, is to assist the Government of 
Afghanistan in creating a safe and secure environment that 
allows for continued reconstruction and the exercise and 
extension of Afghan authority. Presently, 40 nations contribute 
to ISAF, including all 28 NATO Allies.
    The United States continues to detain several hundred al-
Qa'ida and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a 
continuing threat to the United States and its interests. The 
combat-equipped forces deployed since January 2002 to Naval 
Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S. Southern Command area 
of operations, continue to conduct secure detention operations 
for those detained at Guantanamo Bay under Public Law 107-40 
and consistent with the law of war.
    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, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1637 of November 8, 
2005, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 of November 28, 
2006, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 of December 18, 
2007; the authorization was not renewed in 2009. Since the 
expiration of the authorization and mandate for the MNF in U.N. 
Security Council Resolution 1790 on December 31, 2008, U.S. 
forces have continued operations to support Iraq in its efforts 
to maintain security and stability in Iraq pursuant to the 
bilateral Agreement Between the United States of America and 
the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United States Forces 
from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their 
Temporary Presence in Iraq, which entered into force onJanuary 
1, 2009. These contributions have included, but have not been limited 
to, assisting in building the capability of the Iraqi security forces, 
supporting the development of Iraq's political institutions, improving 
local governance, enhancing ministerial capacity, and providing 
critical humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the Iraqis. The 
U.S. contribution of forces to the Iraq mission fluctuates over time, 
depending on the conditions in theater as determined by the commanders 
on the ground; the present U.S. contribution is approximately 138,000 
U.S. military personnel.
    In furtherance of U.S. efforts against terrorists who pose 
a continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its 
friends, its allies, and our forces abroad, the United States 
continues to work with partners around the globe. These efforts 
include the deployment of U.S. combat-equipped forces to assist 
in enhancing the counterterrorism capabilities of our friends 
and allies. United States combat-equipped forces continue to be 
located in the Horn of Africa region.
    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 commands. 
These maritime operations are aimed at stopping the movement, 
arming, and financing of international terrorists.
    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 a NATO-led Kosovo 
Force (KFOR) in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 of June 
10, 1999. The original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, 
and, when necessary, enforce compliance with the Military 
Technical Agreement between NATO and Serbia (formerly the 
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), while maintaining a safe and 
secure environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities and, 
with local authorities and international police, contributes to 
the maintenance of a safe and secure environment that 
facilitates the work of the European Union (EU)-led 
International Civilian Office and the EU Rule of Law Mission 
(EULEX).
    Currently, 25 NATO nations contribute to KFOR. Eight non-
NATO countries also participate by providing military and other 
support personnel. The U.S. contribution to KFOR is about 1,400 
U.S. military personnel, or approximately 10 percent of the 
total strength of approximately 13,700 personnel.
    The U.S. forces participating in KFOR have been assigned to 
the eastern region of Kosovo but also have operated in other 
areas of the country based on mission requirements. For U.S. 
KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, helping to maintain a safe 
and secure environment and freedom of movement remain the 
principal military tasks. The KFOR operates under NATO command 
and control and rules of engagement, and coordinates with and 
supports EULEX, within its means and capabilities. The KFOR 
provides a security presence in towns, villages, and the 
countryside, and organizes checkpoints and patrols in key areas 
to provide security, to protect all segments of Kosovo's 
population, and to help instill a feeling of confidence across 
all ethnic communities throughout Kosovo.
    NATO periodically conducts formal reviews of KFOR's 
mission. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current 
force levels, future requirements, and recommendations for 
adjustments to KFOR's force structure and eventual withdrawal. 
NATO adopted the Joint Operations Area plan to regionalize and 
rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
    The Kosovo Police (KP) has primary responsibility for 
public safety and policing throughout Kosovo. The EULEX 
monitors, mentors, and advises the KP and possesses limited 
executive authority. The KP provides the first line of riot 
response, to be followed by EULEX's specialized anti-riot 
police (Formed Police Units or FPUs). The KFOR also offers as-
needed security assistance in response to civil unrest. The 
KFOR augments security in particularly sensitive areas or in 
response to particular threats as events on the ground dictate.
    In January 2009, the Government of Kosovo established the 
Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and began the process of dissolving 
the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC). The KSF is a lightly armed, 
civilian-led security force that provides crisis response, 
explosive ordnance disposal, and civil protection. The newly 
formed Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force provides civilian 
oversight and control for the KSF. The KFOR provides technical 
and policy guidance to the KSF and assists with recruiting for 
new members, chairing selection boards that identify former KPC 
members to join the KSF, supervising NATO-standard training 
programs for new recruits, and coordinating KSF equipment 
purchases and donations.
    I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in 
all of these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority 
to conduct the foreign relations of the United States 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,
                                                      Barack Obama.

                                  
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