[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 19, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S7899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PRESIDENTIAL REPORT

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter 
from the President of the United States be printed in the Record today 
pursuant to the war powers resolution.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

     Hon. Ted Stevens,
     President pro tempore of the Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: 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.  
The White House, July 18, 2006.

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