[House Document 113-81]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



113th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 113-81

 
    ADDITIONAL DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL IN SOUTH SUDAN

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

A LETTER INFORMING THE CONGRESS THAT ADDITIONAL U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL 
 WERE DEPLOYED TO SOUTH SUDAN TO SUPPORT U.S. PERSONNEL AND OUR EMBASSY




 December 23, 2013.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, December 22, 2013.
Hon. John Boehner,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In my report to the Congress of December 
19, 2013, I provided information on the deployment of U.S. 
forces to support the security of U.S. personnel and our 
Embassy in South Sudan. I am providing this additional report, 
consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), 
to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on U.S. 
military activities in South Sudan.
    On December 21, 2013, approximately 46 additional U.S. 
military personnel deployed by military aircraft to the area of 
Bor, South Sudan, to conduct an operation to evacuate U.S. 
citizens and personnel. After the aircraft came under fire as 
they approached Bor, the operation was curtailed due to 
security considerations, and the aircraft and all military 
personnel onboard departed South Sudan without completing the 
evacuation.
    The purpose of this operation was to protect U.S. citizens, 
personnel, and property. As I monitor the situation in South 
Sudan, I may take further action to support the security of 
U.S. citizens, personnel, and property, including our Embassy, 
in South Sudan.
    This action has been directed consistent with my 
responsibility to protect U.S. citizens both at home and 
abroad, and in furtherance of U.S. national security and 
foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional 
authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in 
Chief and Chief Executive.
    I appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions.

            Sincerely,
                                                      Barack Obama.