[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[February 17, 1994]
[Pages 281-283]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Conflict in the Former 
Yugoslavia
February 17, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    On October 13, 1993, I provided a further report to the Congress on 
the deployment of U.S. combat-equipped aircraft to support efforts of 
the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to 
achieve peace and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina. As part of my 
continuing efforts to ensure that Congress is fully informed, I am again 
writing to you, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, to inform you 
that the United States has expanded its participation in this important 
effort to reach

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a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.
    Beginning with United Nations Security Council Resolution 713 of 
September 25, 1991, the United Nations has actively sought solutions to 
the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. In Resolutions 781 and 786 (October 
9 and November 10, 1992), the Security Council established a ban on all 
unauthorized military flights over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Responding to 
``blatant violations'' of the no-fly ban, in Resolution 816 (March 31, 
1993) the Security Council extended the ban and authorized Member States 
and regional organizations to take ``all necessary measures'' to ensure 
compliance with the no-fly zone. NATO agreed to enforce the no-fly zone 
and ``Operation Deny Flight'' commenced on April 12, 1993.
    Under Security Council Resolution 824 (May 6, 1993), certain parts 
of Bosnia-Herzegovina have been established as ``safe areas.'' Sarajevo 
is specifically included as a safe area that ``should be free from armed 
attacks and from any other hostile act.'' In addition, authority for the 
use of force in and around Sarajevo to implement the U.N. mandate is 
found in Security Council Resolutions 836 and 844 (June 4 and 18, 1993), 
which authorize Member States, acting ``nationally or through regional 
organizations,'' to use air power in the safe areas to support the 
United Nations Protection Forces (UNPROFOR), subject to close 
coordination with the Secretary General and UNPROFOR.
    As my previous reports to you have described, the participating 
nations have conducted phased air operations to prevent flights over 
Bosnia-Herzegovina that are not authorized by UNPROFOR. The United 
States has played an important role by contributing combat-equipped 
fighter aircraft, along with electronic combat and supporting tanker 
aircraft, to the operations in the air-space over Bosnia-Herzegovina. 
The no-fly zone has eliminated air-to-ground bombings and other air 
combat activity in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Most violations have involved 
rotary-wing aircraft. Our enforcement operations have been conducted 
safely with no casualties to date.
    Recent heavy weapons fire in the Sarajevo area has resulted in a 
continuing heavy loss of life as well as serious injuries among the 
civilian population. An attack on February 4, 1994, killed ten people, 
and the following day a Sarajevo civilian marketplace was hit by a 
mortar attack that caused numerous civilian casualties, including 68 
deaths. The United Nations Secretary General thereafter requested NATO 
to authorize, at the request of the United Nations, air operations 
against artillery or mortar positions determined by UNPROFOR to have 
been involved in attacks on civilian targets in the vicinity of 
Sarajevo.
    On February 9, 1994, NATO accepted the U.N. Secretary General's 
request and authorized air operations, as necessary, using agreed 
coordination procedures with UNPROFOR. In addition, NATO took the 
decision to set a deadline for the withdrawal of heavy weapons 
(including tanks, artillery pieces, mortars, multiple rocket launchers, 
missiles and anti-aircraft weapons) from within 20 kilometers of the 
center of Sarajevo, with the exception of an area of two kilometers from 
the center of Pale, or for their regrouping and placement under U.N. 
control. After ten days from 2400 GMT February 10, 1994, all heavy 
weapons found within the Sarajevo exclusion zone, unless controlled by 
UNPROFOR, will be subject to NATO air strikes. In addition, NATO's 
decision provides the flexibility to act outside the 20-kilometer zone 
in response to any further artillery or mortar attacks on Sarajevo and 
authorizes the initiation of air attacks to suppress air defenses that 
would represent a direct threat to NATO aircraft in carrying out these 
operations. Further, U.S. airborne indirect-fire-locating units may be 
deployed to support these NATO operations. Importantly, U.S. forces 
assigned to NATO to conduct these missions retain their prerogative to 
take all necessary and appropriate action in self-defense, consistent 
with applicable NATO rules of engagement.
    In my earlier reports I have informed you about the contribution of 
U.S. aircraft to participate in NATO air operations in Bosnia. In view 
of recent events, I have further directed the Secretary of Defense to 
take appropriate steps to ensure, in conjunction with our allies, that 
the assets necessary to implement the February 9 NATO decision are 
available in the region for the conduct and support of the NATO 
operations described above. At this point, more than 60 U.S. aircraft 
are available for participation in the authorized NATO missions.
    In addition to no-fly zone operations and preparations to conduct 
air operations pursuant to the NATO decision, U.S. forces have conducted 
more than 2,200 airlift missions to Sara-


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jevo and more than 1,200 airdrop missions in Bosnia. U.S. medical and 
other support personnel continue to provide critical services in support 
of UNPROFOR. Our U.S. Army light infantry battalion in Macedonia is an 
integral part of UNPROFOR monitoring efforts in that area. Finally, U.S. 
naval forces have completed over 18 months of operations as an integral 
part of the multinational effort to enforce the economic sanctions and 
arms embargo imposed by the Security Council.
    I am taking these actions in conjunction with our allies in order to 
implement the NATO decision and to assist the parties to reach a 
negotiated settlement to the conflict. It is not now possible to 
determine the duration of these operations. I have directed the 
participation by U.S. armed forces in this effort pursuant to my 
constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as 
Commander in Chief.
    I am grateful for the continuing support the Congress has provided, 
and I look forward to continued cooperation with you in this endeavor. I 
shall communicate with you further regarding our efforts for peace and 
stability in the former Yugoslavia.
    Sincerely,

                                                            Bill Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of 
the Senate.