[House Document 112-83]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



112th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 112-83


 
                NOTIFICATION OF SPECIAL FORCES OPERATION

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

              A NOTIFICATION OF A SPECIAL FORCES OPERATION






  January 27, 2012.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                      Washington, January 26, 2012.
Hon. John Boehner,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: At my direction, on January 24, 2012, 
U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted an operation in 
Somalia to rescue Ms. Jessica Buchanan, a U.S. citizen. The 
operation was successfully completed. Ms. Buchanan was 
kidnapped in Galcayo, Somalia on October 25, 2011, by a group 
linked to Somali pirates and financiers. Also rescued in the 
course of the operation was a Danish national, Poul Hagen 
Thisted, who was kidnapped with Ms. Buchanan. The operation was 
undertaken by a small number of joint combat-equipped U.S. 
forces, after we received reliable intelligence indicating Ms. 
Buchanan's location in Somalia along with that of Mr. Thisted. 
These forces left Somalia on January 25, 2012.
    I directed this action consistent with my responsibility to 
protect U.S. citizens both at home and abroad, and in 
furtherance of U.S. national security interests, 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 fully informed, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the 
Congress in this action.

            Sincerely,
                                                      Barack Obama.