[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[April 19, 1994]
[Page 728]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 728]]


Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Peacekeeping Operations in 
the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
April 19, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:    (Dear Mr. President:)
    On January 8, 1994, I provided my second report to you on the 
deployment of a U.S. Army peacekeeping contingent as part of the United 
Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia. I am now providing this further report, consistent with the 
War Powers Resolution, to inform you about my decision to augment our 
contingent in support of multilateral peacekeeping efforts in the 
region.
    Since its arrival in July 1993, our combat-equipped U.S. Army 
contingent of approximately 315 Americans has been an important part of 
UNPROFOR Macedonia. Along with a Nordic battalion consisting of troops 
from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, the U.S. Armed Forces have 
assisted in the U.N. Security Council-authorized mission of monitoring 
and reporting developments along the northern border that could signify 
a threat to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The U.S. 
contribution has played an important role in the UNPROFOR Macedonia 
effort to prevent the conflict in the former Yugoslavia from spreading 
while contributing to stability in the region.
    In order to support the United Nations as it sought additional 
forces to serve with UNPROFOR Bosnia-Herzegovina, the United States 
offered to increase the U.S. contribution to UNPROFOR Macedonia by 
approximately 200 personnel. The United Nations expressed its 
appreciation for continued U.S. cooperation and support and requested 
that the additional U.S. personnel be deployed to UNPROFOR Macedonia. We 
believe that the decision to deploy additional U.S. personnel to replace 
elements of the UNPROFOR Macedonia Nordic battalion has contributed to 
the decisions by member governments to deploy additional military 
personnel to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
    As a result of these decisions, the U.S. European Command is 
deploying a reinforced company of approximately 200 personnel to augment 
the U.S. Army contingent in UNPROFOR Macedonia. The additional U.S. 
Armed Forces are from Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 
3rd Infantry Division, V Corps, Vilseck, Germany. This unit is joining 
the U.S. reinforced company that was deployed earlier. The unit is 
equipped to assume sector responsibilities for departing Nordic troops 
as part of the ongoing U.N. monitoring and observer mission.
    United States forces assigned to UNPROFOR Macedonia have encountered 
no hostilities, and there have been no U.S. casualties since the 
operation began. The mission has the support of the government and the 
local population. Our forces will remain fully prepared not only to 
fulfill their peacekeeping mission, but to defend themselves if 
necessary.
    This additional U.S. contribution to UNPROFOR Macedonia is 
consistent with our commitment to multilateral efforts to address 
threats to international peace and security in the former Yugoslavia. I 
have ordered the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces for these purposes 
pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations and 
as Commander in Chief.
    I appreciate the support of the Congress for our efforts in the 
former Yugoslavia, and I look forward to continued cooperation with you 
in these matters.
    Sincerely,

                                                      William J. 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.