    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [October 18, 1993]
    [Pages 1770-1771]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1770]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Use of United States Armed Forces
    in International Operations
    October 18, 1993

    Dear Mr. Leader:

        I am writing to express grave concern about a number of amendments
    that may be offered to H.R. 3116, the Defense Appropriations bill for FY
    94, regarding Haiti, Bosnia and the use of United States armed forces in
    international operations.

        I am fundamentally opposed to amendments which improperly limit my
    ability to perform my constitutional duties as Commander-in-Chief, which
    may well have unconstitutional provisions, and which if adopted, could
    weaken the confidence of our allies in the United States. Such
    amendments would provide encouragement to aggressors and repressive
    rulers around the world who seek to operate without fear of reprisal.

        America's adversaries and allies must know with certainty that the
    United States can respond decisively to protect the lives of Americans
    and to address crises that challenge American interests. Successive
    administrations have found it critical in world affairs to be able to
    state that no option has been ruled out.

        I respect and acknowledge the importance of cooperation between the
    executive and legislative branches. There will inevitably be give and
    take between the executive branch and Congress as we work to redefine
    our role in the post Cold War world. But it is wrong and even dangerous
    to allow the questions of the moment to undercut the strength of our
    national security policies and to produce a fundamental shift in the
    proper relationship between our two branches of government.

        The amendment regarding command and control of U.S. forces, which
    already has been introduced, would insert Congress into the detailed
    execution of military contingency planning in an unprecedented manner.
    The amendment would make it unreasonably difficult for me or any
    President to operate militarily with other nations when it is in our
    interest to do so--and as we have done effectively for half a century
    through NATO. It could lead to an all-or-nothing approach that causes
    the United States to shoulder the entire burden of a conflict even when
    a multinational approach would be most effective from the standpoint of
    military planning, burden sharing and other American national interests.

        With regard to potential amendments on Haiti, let me caution against
    action that could aggravate that nation's violent conflict and undermine
    American interests. The situation on the ground in Haiti is highly
    unstable. Limiting my ability to act--or even creating the perception of
    such a limitation--could signal a green light to Haiti's military and
    police authorities in their brutal efforts to resist a return of
    democracy, could limit my ability to protect the more than 1,000
    Americans currently in Haiti, and could trigger another mass exodus of
    Haitians, at great risk to their lives and great potential cost and
    disruption to our nation and others.

        With regard to potential Bosnia amendments, our nation has worked
    with NATO to prepare to help implement a fair and enforceable peace
    settlement. This amendment thus could undermine our relationship with
    our NATO allies and frustrate the negotiation of an end to the
    aggression and ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia. As you know, I
    have placed strict conditions on any U.S. involvement in Bosnia with
    which I believe most members of Congress would agree.

        I am committed to full consultation with Congress on our foreign
    policy. As I have clearly stated for the record, I welcomed
    congressional authorization for U.S. operations in Somalia and would
    welcome similar action regarding U.S. efforts in Bosnia, should that
    become necessary. Further, as this Administration has done and is
    continuing to do, we will consult with and keep Congress fully informed
    on these and other issues that affect American national security.

    [[Page 1771]]

        I would welcome an opportunity to engage you and others in the bi-
    partisan leadership in a full and constructive dialogue about the
    processes of executive-legislative relations regarding America's
    engagement in a changed world. But amendments such as these are not the
    right way for the American government to decide how we act in the world,
    and I urge the Senate to reject them.

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to George Mitchell, Senate majority
    leader, and Bob Dole, Senate Republican leader.